Much is talked about web applications in my earlier blogs, and if you go through my blog comparing desktop applications and web applications, you will find the pros and cons of each. That apart, today I am going to explain the web application development process to impart my readers understanding on how web application projects are carried out.

Web applications are an important tool for B2B and B2C interactions for the present businesses. The whole web application development process can be divided into four phases:

1. Envisioning the scope of web application by defining it and establishing the purpose, goal, nature, and direction of the project

The first phase requires the managers and developers of the project to come together and discuss on the feasibility of the application in question and the solutions it must achieve. Scheduling; limitations, if any; and future objectives of the application will also be elucidated, and the end of this phase will be marked by a clear documentation on what this application will practically achieve.

2. Contriving a plan indentifying functional and visual specifications, technology and techniques to use, scheming out web application architecture and timelines

The second phase is laying out the flow of application development strategy. Right from scripting to time framing of the events and tasks in the project everything is planned out.

3. Developing web application

The third phase is initiation of the development work where web application structure and framework is created; data variables are established; entities and coding procedures to be used are determined; web application model, libraries, and classes are customized; and finally implementation and complete development is done.

4. Performing beta testing, establishing a successful support and stability system

The fourth and final phase is focused on testing of the application from a functional and security perspective. Any bugs are fixed. It’s also the time to address any discrepancies that may cause the application to go bad. A fully functional, stable, and secure application is the ideal end product of any web application development process. This phase is also directed towards establishing policies and procedures that end up in a successful support system.

Many businesses are using internet and networking in a great way to enhance their performance. Web based applications are a preferred platform these days when it comes to business information systems. Combining the communication capabilities of internet with the exceptional development platforms available on the World Wide Web, such an application serves a highly functional, cost effective, and secure platform to improve your business operations. It can be considered as a multi user cross-platform application that every business can make use of.

For one class of web applications, think of websites. Web software experts equip them with nice content, useful boxes and buttons, graphics, and links to make sure that they look attractive as well as become user-friendly and interactive. Web-based applications serve a good purpose in the business world. If you are looking forward to own a unique online store or manage your projects online, these applications should definitely be your consideration. Such applications are quite useful in the field of online marketing. We can see such Ecommerce websites and portals flooding the online market.

How various database design applications give easy and meaningful access to online information in different types of websites can be found by exploring educational, Ecommerce, banking, real estate, and scientific websites, and in fact many more.

The next generation of web applications, rich internet applications (RIAs), provide usability, receptiveness, and reuse of client/server applications with the operation, manageability, and accessibility of traditional web applications. RIAs are developing all types of applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, and online games. The benefit is that a surfer can connect to a website, use the software he needs, and there is no need to install anything on his own computer. These differ from other internet applications in the amount of communication interface. Through rich internet apps, one gets a superior, appealing experience that develops user satisfaction and boosts productivity, and in fact in today's scenario, a large number of companies are taking advantage of RIA technology.

Get ready to make better online venture profitability through web-based business applications designed  and developed by PLAVEB.

Microsoft Silverlight, a cross-browser, cross-platform, cross-device plug-in, is developed for delivering the next generation of .NET-based media experiences and rich internet applications. Microsoft should really be credited for making a very good presentation as to why Silverlight was developed and what they are expecting to achieve through it. And though Microsoft developed it, they like the idea that it work across Windows versions.

I think we are at a point of convergence where two industry trends are coming together in a way that Silverlight seems the most compelling answer for a lot of development scenarios. And the trends are a continued abstraction away from the hardware, now the operating system, and the likelihood that the web as we know now is nearing the end of its life.

The question then arises is what comes next. Do browsers become the new standards-based operating system or do we extend the runtime concept into the web as a long-term replacement?

Google, with Gears and Chrome, is betting on the former with a clear hope that the browser itself will be the next OS. Adobe is betting on the latter hoping that Flash/Flex/Air will be the runtime that makes both the browser and the OS irrelevant. Microsoft is playing smart with its Silverlight that represents a strategy very similar to Adobe's, where a runtime may well make the browser and the Windows/Mac/Linux desktop irrelevant.

Competition for Silverlight starts with WPF, but I don’t see WPF as the long-term winner. Flash/Flex/Air, other obvious competitors, however fall back in a sense that using Adobe means discarding all the .NET skills that a big community of developers have accumulated and starting all over again. The same applies to Gears.

Silverlight lets existing .NET developers, that are in abundance, leverage their existing skills. It potentially offers the power needed for smart business applications with the best deployment and navigation characteristics of the web. It’s still growing and evolving, and when HTML5 is gaining better adoption, Silverlight is going to be way ahead of where it is today.

With the customers desiring to escape from the shackles of the OS and the industry looking for the next evolutionary step in web development, Silverlight really comes out as a technology that represents the bright future of the modern web.

Understanding the two……

A web application is software that uses a web server, like the internet, to get delivered to the users. Web applications can also be run on intranet, which many businesses do. The main reason that can be given for the growing popularity of web-based applications is the widespread use of web browser as a client

A desktop application is a self-contained program that performs a specified set of tasks under a user’s control. Desktop applications don’t require a network or connectivity to operate or function properly and run from a local drive. However, they might use the resources of a network if attached to it.

Comparing……

1. Accessibility - Web applications can be easily accessed from any computer, device, or location that has internet access. Travelers especially benefit from this type of accessibility.
2. Maintenance & Upgrades - Desktop applications need to be individually installed on each computer, while web-based applications just need a single installation. Many web applications are hosted by a third party and the upgrading and maintenance fall under the responsibility of application host. This can be a blessing and a curse both as users of web applications on hosted systems are at the mercy of the host; if an individual user doesn't want the new features, the upgrade will still go forward.
3. Security - There are always risks involved when dealing with online working. Regardless of how secure a host might say a web application to be, the matter of the fact stands that the security risk of running an application on the internet is more significant than that running on a standalone desktop computer.
4. Cost - Web applications are typically substantially more expensive over time. Desktop applications are purchased outright with rarely having a recurring fee for the software use (though some do have a fee for maintenance/upgrade, but rarely any subscription fee associated with an ongoing use). Many corporate web applications, on the other hand, use a subscription model where users are typically charged monthly service fee to operate the software.
5. Internet Connectivity - Web applications rely on persistent, unmanaged connectivity. Critical applications or businesses that are time sensitive cannot risk denial of service attacks or power outages to interrupt their operations.
6. Performance - Web applications may operate slower. The speed may also vary based on how many users are accessing the application.
7. Backups & Ownership - Regardless of the platform, companies need to be sure that their data is appropriately backed up. When using a web application that are hosted by a third party, companies should clearly determine who owns the data housed in the application and be sure that privacy policies prevent that data from being used by the web host.

Judging……

Some applications are more likely to become successful as web applications. Web based applications designed specifically for search engine optimization are becoming increasingly popular. It is easy to understand now why web applications that relate to the internet would prosper, while business applications may have less appeal in a web environment.

Ultimately, the accessibility of web-based applications makes them highly desirable but not monopolizing as they do have some fundamental limitations. I believe that security concerns and legacy systems will still prevent the obsolescence of desktop software packages. Understanding the pros and cons to each business model will help users determine whether a desktop application or web application will better suit their needs.

Software development industry never sleeps and its effervescence flashes up as new methods and strategies come out of the minds of its ingenious professionals. Lately, an approach known as “agile software development” has evolved that has given software development project cycle a new expression. It refers to using a group of software development methodologies with adopting cross functional collaborative teamwork for the solutions to emerge out. The term “agile software development” was coined in the year 2001 when the Agile Manifesto was formulated.

Agile development would involve planning, analyzing, designing, unit testing, coding, and final testing to be done before displaying the software to the esteemed client. The process development cycle in such a case incorporates teamwork as a crucial element throughout its length to minimize overall risk. Principally, this method focuses on delivering working software frequently and welcoming any changes in requirements later on.

The team requires a great deal of cooperation among the professionals themselves and close, frequent communication with its clients. Face-to-face communication is preferable here if the client exists in the same location. Tele-calling and video conferencing periodically are better in case the software application is to be outsourced. Whatever the case may be, there is always a need to monitor the project updates and implement changes, if any, on time.

Much focus is laid on individual interactions about the design, tools, techniques, and processes. A comprehensive documentation covering all the stages of the project is also of value so that at a later point it is easy to trace back and react for a change. Contract negotiation with the client spreads across the length of the development as any late changes are welcomed.

Businesses looking for software solutions may get impressed with this model as it would normally provide a quick software solution with short-term planning. However, recommended is to check the suitability of the agile methods for any requirement and then only proceed.