Web application facts for kids

A web application is a computer program you can use without installing it on your device. Part of it runs on a web server, which is a powerful computer far away. Another part runs on your device, usually inside a web browser. These two parts talk to each other over a computer network, like the internet. They often use a special language called HTTP to communicate. This way of designing programs is called the client-server model.

Web applications often have different parts, or "tiers." A common type has three main parts:

• The Presentation tier is what you see on your screen.
• The Application tier is the part that does all the work.
• The Storage tier is where all the information is kept.

Many things you use online every day are web applications. Examples include webmail services, online banking websites, and social media sites. Even Wikipedia is a web application!

Why Use Web Apps?

Good Things About Web Apps

• Easy to Use: Web applications run right inside your web browser. You don't need to install anything complicated on your computer.
• Saves Space: They don't take up much space or power on your device. Your computer just needs to show the information.
• Works Everywhere: Web apps help avoid problems with different computer types, like Windows, Mac, or Linux. All you need is a browser.
• Share and Cooperate: Often, your information is stored online too. This is part of cloud computing. It makes it easy for people to work together and share things.
• Stay Connected: They are great for communication, like sending emails or chatting.

Challenges with Web Apps

• Different Look: Because they run in a browser, web applications might look and feel different from regular programs. Some people might not like this difference in how easy they are to use.
• Need Standards: Web applications must follow special rules called standards. If a browser doesn't follow these rules perfectly, the app might not work well.
• Always Online: You need an internet connection to use web applications. If your connection is slow or breaks, the app might not work, and you could even lose information.
• Server Dependent: Many web apps rely on the server that hosts them. If the server goes offline or the company closes, you can't use the app anymore. Regular programs still work.
• No Skipping Updates: The company offering the app controls it completely. They can release new versions whenever they want, and you usually can't choose to skip an update you don't like.
• Data Control: Sometimes, it's hard to take your information out of a web app to use it somewhere else.
• Privacy Concerns: The company that runs the web app can sometimes see what users do. This can raise questions about your privacy.

Images for kids

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  The WorldClock icon.

• 

  Horde groupware is an open-source web application.

See also

In Spanish: Aplicación web para niños