| An Application is a computer program that is able to perform certain specific functions. Some conventional application include the word processors we use and even the email software. Web applications are advanced software applications. You can access these applications only through the Internet. Unlike the conventional applications, web applications are not loaded on local computer systems. Web applications are still not as advanced as the old applications but they are soon gaining popularity.
Unlike the conventional applications, web applications are more economical and simpler to use. This is because you do not need to load any of the application software on your own machine. You can just log on to a server and work on the application as if it was in your own system. This saves a lot of memory space and also doesn't need you to constantly spend on software licenses.
While conventional application development is a huge industry, web application development is in as much a research phase as it is under development. While most people are still not too familiar with web applications, we come across them very frequently while using the Internet. Such as, when you use web mail, you are actually using a fairly well developed web application.
The development of applications is a need-based process. Most software companies either develop applications for off-the-shelf sale like MS Office or develop them as custom-based solutions for companies. Large corporate often hire companies to develop specialized software for various processes like payroll and even their internal research. Several such software companies also provide web access for their software so that people can use these remotely.
Conventional applications require a system configuration and a specific operating system to function. On the other hand, a web application can function on any computer system regardless of the operating system. For instance, if groups of people have MS Windows they may not be able to use Linux based software. Whereas, if they can access the software as a web application hosted on a Linux server, they can use it through an application interface much like a web page.
With the growing need for remote connectivity, many Application Development Providers have sprung-up. The strategy adopted by such vendors is to charge for software usage that they provide through the web. Therefore, in contrast to buying software over the counter, you can now log on make a small payment and use the software for a specific period.
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