Application software can be computer based, web based and mobile application. Computer based application software are those application software that are installed on local computer.

Web Based Application

A web based application(also called as web app) is an application software that is accessed over a network connection using Hyper Text Transfer Protocol(HTTP), rather than existing within a device's memory. That is web app runs on a web server unlike computer based software programs that are stored locally on the operating system(OS) of the device. Web applications are accessed by the user through a web browser with an active internet connection. However, web based applications also may be client-based, where a small part of the program is downloaded to a user's desktop, but processing is done over the internet on a n external server.

Web apps includes light applications like Flash games, online calculators, calendars, generating color palettes, displaying currency exchange rates and so on, as well as more intensive applications such as web based word processors and spreadsheet applications.

Advantages of web based application

Flexible access - Web based application can be accessed from any place and any computers that have a web browser and active internet connection.
Platform independent - Developers don't have to write multiple versions of the same application for different operating systems and machines.
Storage Increase - With the availability of the cloud, storage space is virtually infinite.
Vendors are responsible for backup - users do not have to worry for backup.
With web-based apps, users don't have to install additional software.

Disadvantages of web based application

Users can lose access to critical data due to Internet outage or down of server.
Slower data entry in web based application than computer based application.
Security - Someone else holds or controls your data.
More expensive over time - due to needs on Internet.
Browser Support - Unfortunately, we don't all use the same browser. This means during development you'll need to ensure your app is supported across a variety of browsers.

Mobile application

A mobile application, most commonly referred to as mobile app or simply app, is a type of application software designed to run on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet or watch. Mobile applications frequently serve to provide users with similar services to those accessed on PCs. Originally, mobile apps were intended for productivity assistance such as email, calendar, contact database, but due to public demands apps are expanded to other areas such as mobile games, mobile wallet, GPS, order tracking, ticket purchasing, mobile banking etc. so that there are millions of apps available.

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