WebApps

Web applications, or WebApps, are software programs that run on servers and are accessed through web browsers over the Internet. They rely on a client–server model in which a front-end runs in the user's browser and a back-end handles data processing, storage, and application logic, communicating via HTTP or HTTPS. WebApps commonly use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript on the front end and server-side languages and databases on the back end.

Historically, WebApps used server-generated pages and full-page reloads. The advent of AJAX in the mid-2000s enabled partial updates and richer interactions. In the 2010s, single-page applications built with frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue shifted much of the logic to the client, while progressive web apps added offline capabilities and installable experiences.

Characteristics include cross‑platform accessibility, device independence, and responsive design. They load in standard web browsers, support search indexing, and can scale through cloud infrastructure. Security and privacy concerns focus on input validation, authentication, and protection against XSS, CSRF, and injection attacks.

Architectures vary from traditional multi‑tier setups to microservices or serverless deployments. Front-end clients communicate with back-end services via REST or GraphQL APIs, exchanging data in JSON. Sessions are managed with cookies or tokens such as JWTs, and deployment often leverages containers and cloud platforms.

Development typically involves front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript or TypeScript) and back-end languages such as Python, Java, PHP, Ruby, or Node.js. Modern WebApps are commonly hosted in the cloud, using continuous integration and deployment pipelines, scalable databases, and content delivery networks to optimize performance and availability.

Common use cases include e‑commerce, collaboration tools, content management systems, and software as a service products, all offering broad reach, platform independence, and easier updates compared with traditional desktop software.