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Q4-5 What Are the Differences Between Native and Web Applications?

develop a single application and have it run flawlessly on all browsers on all devices. Unfortunately,
there are some differences in the way that browsers implement the Web code. This means that
some applications won’t run correctly in some browsers.
As shown in the first row of Figure 4-17, Web development languages are html5, css3,
and Javascript. html5 is the latest version of html, which you will learn about in Chapter 6. The
advantages of this version are support for graphics, animation, 2D animations, and other sophisti-
cated user experiences. css3 is used with html5 to specify the appearance of content coded in html.
JavaScript is a scripting programming language that is much easier to learn than native-client
languages. It is used to provide the underlying logic of the application.
Web applications can be written by professional programmers, and, indeed, most are. However,
it is possible for technically oriented Web developers and business professionals to develop them
as well. The entry-level technical skill required is low, and simple applications are relatively easy
to develop. But sophisticated user experiences are difficult. Web application developers may have
degrees in computer science, information systems, or graphics design.
The user experience provided by a Web application varies considerably. Some are simply
fancy Web-based brochures (www.wildrhodyseafood.com); others are quite sophisticated, such as
SpiroCanvas in Figure 4-18 (www.gethugames.in/) or, even more impressive, www.biodigital.com
in Figure 4-19.
Web applications are limited by the capabilities of the browser. While browsers are becom-
ing increasingly sophisticated, they cannot offer the full capabilities of the underlying operating
system and hardware. Thus, Web applications are unable to support very specialized and complex
applications, though this becomes less true each year.
As stated, the major advantage of Web over native applications is that they will run on
any operating system and device. There are some browser differences, but these differences are
very minor when compared with the differences among iOS, Android, and Windows. In general,
unlike native applications, you can assume that a Web application has one code base and one
development team.
Because Web applications can be developed by less skilled, lesser-paid employees and because only
one code base and one development team are necessary, they are considerably cheaper to develop than
native applications. However, this statement assumes applications of equivalent complexity. A simple
native application can be cheaper to develop than a complex Web application.
Users obtain Web applications via the Internet. For example, when you go to www.picozu.com/
editor the required html5, css3, and JavaScript files are downloaded automatically over the Web.

Figure 4-18
GethuGames’ SpiroCanvas
Source: www.gethugames.in/
spirocanvas/ Reprinted by permission