Supportsoft Glossary

Understanding Web Applications and How They Operate

A web application is a computer software application which is accessed via the internet via a web browser, with no requirement to install anything locally on the mobile device itself (or other device). Web applications use three kinds of technology: on the server side, the application requires database, logic, and/or programming to maintain interactivity; on the client side, web applications rely on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create and deliver user interactivity. 

A web application is platform agnostic in that it can be accessed from any device (desktop, tablet or smartphone), with no need to install any other software. Examples of web applications are simple web forms and dashboards, e-commerce websites, SaaS (software as a service) subscription offerings, and enterprise portals. A web application uses client-server architecture; the user's web browser sends requests to the server, and the server processes the requests and sends back dynamic content. Most modern web applications are built using one of a number of frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue that allow for building a responsive interface and have fast responses. 

The biggest advantages are the ease of maintenance/updates, scalability of runtime for a growing user base, and cost savings in deployment (since any change is made to the central application, not in each user’s instance). A web application is required to have sufficient performance, to be compatible with multiple browsers, to support reliable networking, and to implement multiple levels of security, including authentication, data encryption, and protection from common web security vulnerabilities.