Web Application 

A web application is an interactive app built using web development technologies that users can access from their browser. unlike computer-based software programs that are run locally on the operating system (OS) of the device. Web applications are accessed by the user through a web browser with an active network connection. These applications are programmed using a client-server modeled structure—the user ("client") is provided services through an off-site server that is hosted by a third party. Examples of commonly-used web applications include webmail, online retail sales, online banking, and online auctions. Web apps have the typical front-end and back-end web development technologies. On the front-end, for instance, web app developers utilize JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. The back-end for web apps might similarly use the same server-side languages developers use to build websites such as PHP, Ruby, or Python

Benefits of Web Apps

Web applications have many different uses, and with those uses, come many potential benefits. Some common benefits of Web apps include:

• Allowing multiple users access to the same version of an application.
• Web apps don’t need to be installed on the client's machine
• Web apps can be accessed through various platforms such as a desktop, laptop, or mobile.
• Can be accessed through multiple browsers.
• It requires less support and maintenance from the business and lower technical requirements from the user's computer.
• A web application reduces costs for both the end-user and the business.
• Web applications are always up to date because updates are applied centrally.
• All users can access the same version so it eliminates any compatibility issues.
• You can access web applications anywhere with a web browser.
• As long as the browser is compatible, web applications can run on multiple platforms regardless of the operating system or device.
• Web applications discharge the developer of the responsibility of building a client that is compatible with a specific type of computer or a particular operating system.
• Web applications reduce software piracy in subscription-based web applications.
• Cost-effective solution for any organization.
• Cloud storage cost, pay as you go.

Different Types of Web Applications

• Static web app(Website) - The static web app directly delivers the content to the end user’s browser without fetching any data from the server. Most static web apps are known to be simple and effortless to develop across the web.HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are used to develop most static web applications. You can also add GIFs, videos in static web apps. Though it might get challenging at times to update the web app.
• Dynamic web application - A web application that generates the data in real-time based on the user’s request and server response, is known as a dynamic web application. Let us take an example to understand dynamic web apps. When you log in to Netflix, it will show you the movie or series recommendations based on your choice. In case you select the action movies to watch, Netflix will show more action movies recommendations based on your selection.
  • Facebook - Make the world more open and connected. With this aim, Facebook was started. The goal of Facebook is to allow people to communicate efficiently. You can easily log in to Facebook and communicate with your friends seamlessly.
  • Netflix - Expanding its business, Netflix is allowing users to access the platform on both browser and mobile.
  • HubSpot - Being a B2B portal, HubSpot is mainly utilized for marketing and sales purposes. Their web application allows users to log in and manage emails, calls, and texts right from the web app.
• Single-page application -A single-page application runs entirely within a browser and doesn’t require page reloading. For example, while accessing an email app, its headers and sidebars will stay intact as you access your inbox. Single-page web applications are comparatively quicker in comparison to traditional web applications because single-page applications’ logic is directly implemented in the web browser rather than the server. example PayPal -PayPal offers smoother transactions across the web by allowing users to send and receive money internationally. The success of PayPal depends upon Big Data technology to drive innovation.
• content management system - A content management system helps to create, modify, and manage content without technical knowledge. You don’t even require coding or the knowledge of markup languages. A CMS can be oriented towards blogging or general web publishing. A software program that helps users manage digital content, improve the production and management of content is known as CMS (Content Management System)
• e-commerce web app A web application that helps users electronically buy or sell goods over the internet is called an e-commerce web app. Payment integration and transaction integration are essential parts of e-commerce web apps. For example, Amazon, and eBay. Walmart
• Portal - A portal web app is a type of web application that is accessible over the web and brings out the details from different sources like emails, online forums, and search engines in a uniform way. Portal web applications allow scale organization and its processes by allowing personalized access and user-centric navigation based on the user’s needs. Client portals, patient portals, and education university portals are some of the different types of portal apps. We can take the example of Coursera and Udemy, which are well-known educational portals across the globe. If you have online educational portal ideas for your business
• Progressive web apps - A progressive web application is built with common web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.Progressive web apps are known as cross-platform web applications which use the latest browser APIs (Application Programming Interface), features, and progressive enhancement methods to offer you an experience like a native mobile app. The main reason for choosing a progressive web app for your business is that it enhances the speed and adaptability of web applications. Even with a bad internet connection, using PWA will be easier to access the information without any problem.

Web Application Development

Front-End 

On the front-end, the tools you should use for web app development and web development have remained roughly the same for a quarter of a century. But at the very least, you can bet they’re reliable!

JavaScript 

JavaScript is the principal client-side programming language for any type of web development. And nearly 100% of web developers use JavaScript for coding client-side behavior into their website or web application. This is because JavaScript allows developers to build dynamic websites. Basic functionality like scrolling bars and clickable buttons are all the spawn of JavaScript programming. Since JavaScript’s 20th century origins, the language has expanded greatly, demonstrating its variability through its many use cases and frameworks. 

HTML

HTML is another core technology of web development. HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is responsible for structuring the content of a web page. A series of HTML elements describe to a web page how to display text, images, and in the latest version of HTML — HTML 5 — audio and video as well. HTML elements are most recognizable by the “<” and “>” characters. Here’s a secret: if you’re on a desktop or laptop, right-click on any web page, press “View page source” and you will find a bunch of HTML embedded right into your browser. 

CSS

Cascading Style Scripts (CSS) is a language for defining the presentation layer of a web page. Just like JavaScript and HTML, it is a foundation technology making the World Wide Web what it is today. Colors, layouts, and fonts are some of the integral characteristics of a web page or web app. CSS invokes these characteristics. 

Back-End

Back-end development features a wider range of technologies as back-end development comprises several components such as server-side programming, databases, web servers, and APIs. Server-side or back-end programming languages must handle the functionality of a web app that takes place behind the scenes. Back-end web development can involve working with databases to send and receive data from one end to the other, managing user connections and security authentications, and ultimately empowering the web application to perform as it should. Java, Python, Ruby, and PHP are some of the most popular back-end languages. Many tech companies use more than just one of these languages but still, many side-by-side comparisons exist to examine their utility. There are also back-end web frameworks to simplify software development. Laravel, Django, and Ruby on Rails have become increasingly well-known in the web development community. 

Databases

Databases store the data of an application. Back-end developers should be familiar with query languages that are able to request and retrieve data using queries.

Structured Query Language (SQL) is the go-to query language for the common web developer. SQL has many extensions or related versions extending additional functionality like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle.

Servers

Servers respond to network requests. Through the internet connection of a web application, a server retrieves information based on client requests and then serves the client — that is, you, your computer, or mobile device — whatever it is that you asked for. While there isn’t a specific language for servers, all of the technologies that make up back-end development should absolutely have a good relationship with the servers they work with. Web servers of note include Apache, Nginx, and Internet Information Services (IIS). 

APIs

APIs facilitate connections between two or more software systems. API integration is what fuels your Google Home’s communication with your Spotify playlist, for instance, or eBay’s collaboration with PayPal.Again, APIs do not have a domain-specific language. Instead, developers create APIs using other back-end technologies and share them publicly with other developers or keep them closed to the organization they work for.