App

An app, short for application, is a software program designed to help a user perform a specific set of tasks. Apps are commonly built to run on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, but they also exist for desktop computers and embedded systems. They may be distributed through app stores, direct downloads, or enterprise channels.

Apps can be native, web-based, or hybrid. Native apps are developed for a particular platform (for example iOS or Android) using platform-specific languages and APIs. Web apps run in a browser and are platform-independent, while hybrid apps combine web technologies with native containers. Progressive web apps are web apps that offer app-like features such as offline access and push notifications.

Development typically follows stages of planning, design, coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance. App stores and marketplaces provide distribution and discoverability, but also enforce review policies and guidelines, which may affect app availability and updates.

Monetization models include paid apps, subscriptions, in-app purchases, and advertising. Effective apps emphasize user experience, performance, privacy, and security, including careful permission management and data protection. Platform differences in permissions, sandboxing, and update cycles influence design and maintenance.

Apps have transformed personal and professional life by enabling mobile access to services, productivity tools, and social networks. They contribute to the broader software economy but also raise concerns about platform dependence, market fragmentation, digital divide, and data privacy.