What is Web Application? Guide to Web Application Development

Web application development is the process that is involved with creating as well as building a web application. It is more focused on providing and coding the interaction with the browser than standard engineering processes. In most of the cases of web application development will involve defining the problem statement, mocking-up the solution that is proposed or eager to code, engaging with the typical users that are involved, adopting or choosing a framework/choosing a tool, and finally, building as well as testing the web application - in most cases, iteratively with users.

What is a web application

For those of you who do not know or are not aware about what a web application is, I have included a definition below:

A web application, often referred to as a web app, is an interactive computer coded program built and created using a variety of web technologies (HTML, CSS, JS), which stores (Database, Files) and manipulates the data that is required(CRUD), and is used by a team or single user in order to perform tasks over the internet. CRUD is a popular acronym or abbreviation and is at the heart of web app development. It stands for Create, Read, Update, and Delete. Web apps are often and mostly at times accessed via a web browser such as Google Chrome, and often involve a login/signup mechanism.

Web applications vs website

The key difference is how we interact with each of the said programs. A Web application is defined by their input - we create, read, update and delete data within a web application. Websites are defined by their output - we read the news, marketing information, FAQsas well as recipes and tech blogs on websites.

Progressive web applications

Progressive web applications are nothing but a slightly different or a newer type of web application which behaves similarly as well as performs and often outperforms native applications. They are web applications which follow and adhere to a slightly different methodology, as well as involves an additional set of technologies such as service workers, manifests, push notifications. Progressive web applications can easily be downloaded to your device, and stored on your homescreen which makes them accessible, and ‘native-like’. Unlike web applications which needs to be always online, they can be accessed and used offline.

There are many different processes that are going to be involved with building a web application. Below, I have summarised the different steps involved with the web application development process.

If you are keen to learn how to build a web application in more detail, I would advise you to check out this incredibly informative post - How to build a web app.

Here we go, the 8 steps for creating a web application.

1. Define the problem or the issue that you are solving

Defining the problem is critical to designing the web application. It is just similar to your North Star and provides direction and paves the way for the solution. Your solution is born from the problem, that you define

2. Plan the workflow for the web application

Once you know your solution and have issues sorted out, map out the workflow and the progress of how it will work. What needs to happen or take place within your web application for it to solve the problem?

3. Wireframe/prototype your web application

Transform your workflow into a working wireframe. Your wireframe is simply designed to be a tool for communicating your solution to your target user.

4. Receive Validation and thoughts

Present your wireframe to potential and real time users of your new web application. Record feedback and iterate or work again on the design until you, and your potential users are happy.

5. Choose your firepower

You will use different tools/platforms/frameworks in order to build your web application. It’s important to choose a tool that fits the job very easily (in this case your web application) and not to go with what is popular. Example - for a simple to-do app, Django combined along side with React might be overkill.

6. Build your web application

1. Database

   Determine what type of data you will need to store in your database and also your data types. Then build and create your database.

2. Frontend

   You will likely build your frontend as well as your backend at the same time. Your frontend will loosely mirror or project your wireframe/prototype you validated earlier. The frontend consists of HTML, CSS, and JS.

1. Backend

   Building your backend is going to be one of the toughest parts of the web application development process. The primary functions of the backend is to provide as well as enable HTTP endpoints for your frontend (remember CRUD!), authenticate users, authorization, and to serve the frontend.

7. Test your web application

Testing your web application and thoroughly inspect the web app is going to be an ongoing process and usually happens during and after the building phase. You can automate testing or you can do it manually. During the testing phase you should try to cover functionality, usability, compatibility, security and performance testing.

8. Host and deploy your web application

Hosting involves running your web application on a dedicated server. You will need to buy a domain as well as choose a cloud hosting provider. In order to enable access to get your web application from your local machine to your cloud provider and deploy it, you will need to use a CI tool.

And in a nutshell, that’s the