Question

Compare and contrast Web applications and native applications.

When should a native application be selected over a Web application and vice versa?

What advantage does one have over the other? • What are the disadvantages or limitations of each?

Provide URL of your sources.

Answer 1

A. Web Apps
1.When an application is accessed using a web browser over a network like an internet, it is termed as- Web App.
2.Unlike websites which are informational, they are functional and need not be downloaded like mobile apps.
3.They are loaded on browsers like Chrome or Firefox and do not consume memory or storage space on the user’s device.
4.In short, they can be understood as websites with interactivity and functionality.
5.Due to these developers with web skills can easily write, using cross-platform, standard web technologies like HTML, CSS or JavaScript, a web app.
6.As web app can be used on any mobile device that has a web browser, be it iOS, Android, or Windows, it needn’t be written multiple times for each platform.

Advantages:

1.Easy maintenance.
2.Single code base across platforms.Distribution, deployment, and updates or features can be released instantly, as they need no updating on an app store.
3.Device-level features accessible through JavaScript APIs.
4.Development costs are lower.

Limitations of Web apps:

1.Interactions are not so neat and responsive when compared to other apps.
2.UI design elements can be inconsistent.Device-level features like push-notification, work offline, and load on the home screen are not supported.
3.As they are unavailable in “App Store” the potential reach to users slip down.
4.Slow operating and cannot be accessed without internet.

B.Native Apps
1.Apps created, designed and coded for specific platforms, like iOS, Android, and Window phones are native apps.
2.They are more complex when compared to web apps, in terms of the fact they take account of the software language used in the device, development tools required for them, user interface elements needed, and software development kits (SDKs).
Hence, one native app created for one OS will not run on the other.
3.That implies if you wish to develop native apps for iOS, Android, and Windows you need to create separate apps.
4.Unlike iOS devices, Android devices have the “back button” hence they do not need separate UI element for this.
5.Native apps are released and distributed via an “App Store” which has its pros and cons. On one side, the user gets access to hundreds of apps at a single location, which makes it easier to install.
6.Each of these platforms has its own publication procedure, therefore, for an update or new feature, it can take from few hours to few days for completion.

Pros:

1.Superior user experience in terms of speed and responsiveness.
2.All device-level features are accessible.
3.Stable and reliable.
4.Can work offline.
5.Available in an App store hence marketing easy.
6.Least use of hardware and efficient coding.

Cons:

1.Different code bases required for different platforms.
2.Are expensive.
3.Take time to build.
4.No cross-platform support.
5.Prior approvals required in case of “Apple App Store”.
6.Maintaining and updating are demanding.