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Beginner’s Guide to Web App Development

4 Mins read

People with basic or no software development knowledge usually view web app development as a complex and labor-intensive craft. They experience frustration when reading abstruse programming guides and trying to write the first lines of code.

While the creation of top-notch digital products requires proficiency and dedication, this task is not unreachable. This article aims to explain in simple words what a web app is and provide easy steps for its assembly.

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app_web_ can be classified as an interactive website. It runs in a browser with Internet access and most often requires visitors to sign up. Traditional web development trio (HTML, CSS, and JS) serves as a basis for the fronted, while various files and databases are used on the backend. There are also progressive web apps based on newer technologies. You can upload such programs to your device and use them offline.

In contrast to regular websites that only display data, web apps are also receptive to user input. The CRUD principle allows for creating, reading, updating, and deleting information on a client side. Prominent examples include Google Docs, Trello, Gmail, Notion, and Pipedrive. These programs expand the opportunities of a passive observer. You can create and edit documents, assign tasks to other users and signal the completion of tasks, exchange messages, sell and buy products and services, and much more.

Many industries value web apps for interactivity and advanced data management options. They help brands to provide high-quality customer service without human intervention. If a branded web app is used instead of a regular website, buyers can find all the information of interest, place orders, and check the status of their purchases on their own, without involving a sales manager. This allows for a significant reduction in labor costs.

Web apps are also used to streamline internal business processes. They ensure easy collaboration, coherence, and transparent workflows for teams of any size.

Web Application Development Process

Procedures for building software slightly differ for each team. However, most specialists adhere to the best practices and steps outlined below.

1. Goal Setting

In the initial stage, web app developers discuss the tasks that the resulting tool has to accomplish with a client. For example, it can have a purpose like a hotel booking, shopping, or social networking. All subsequent design and functionality decisions must proceed from the purpose determined at the root of the project.

2. Choosing Functionality

Next, you need to decide exactly how your web app will accomplish the client’s goal and outline the product’s workflow in detail.

3. Prototyping

Build a prototype that can be presented to the client and a testing group. Collect feedback and fix drawbacks.

4. Select Web Application Development Software

You can simplify and accelerate work on the project with a variety of helpful tools. Frameworks and software development platforms provide convenient digital workspace and ready-to-use modules that eliminate the need to write the entire codebase from scratch.

It may be challenging for a beginner to assemble the right toolkit from a broad range of options available on the network. Compatibility with project requirements rather than price and popularity should be your primary concern. The fact that many developers use a certain tool does not necessarily mean that it suits you. When acquiring open-source technologies, pay close attention to the developers’ reputation and frequency of updates to avoid dealing with bugs and security issues.

5. Build Your Web App

Once your toolkit is ready, assemble the following components of your application:

  1. Database. Determine what data your product will use and select the appropriate database type.
  2. Frontend. Implement the user interface approved at the prototyping stage using HTML, CSS, and JS.
  3. Backend. This is the most complex part for novices. You need to know some programming languages and in-depth technologies to establish HTTP connections, configure mechanisms for user authentication and authorization, and support the frontend.

6. Testing

A series of tests are needed to make sure everything runs smoothly and the app provides an upscale user experience. Check whether all the features work as intended. Evaluate the apps’ responsiveness and compatibility with other software within the system.

Rather than testing accomplished products, you have to execute intermediate tests to fix errors early on. Use automation tools to save time and effort.

7. Deployment

Acquire a domain name, place your app on cloud hosting and deploy it.

That’s it! Now your product is up and running and can be freely accessed by web users.

Web App Development Frameworks

A framework is a technology providing a set of predetermined modules and features. It outlines a clear software development path and spares you from having to reinvent the wheel each time you launch a new app. A framework is used in the same way as a programming interface. It includes API and also provides libraries, a compiler, and other handy tools.

Let’s consider some great frameworks for web app development.

Rails

  • Designed for backend development
  • Written in Ruby
  • Uses the Model-View-Controller pattern
  • Database oriented
  • Perfect for small projects

Django

  • Designed for backend development
  • Written in Python
  • Straightforward design
  • Provides all the tools and conditions necessary for fast and productive work
  • Recommended for scientific programming

Laravel

  • Designed for backend development
  • Written in PHP
  • Simplistic, can be mastered by beginners
  • Clean and easy-to-understand syntax
  • Uses the Model-View-Controller pattern
  • Suitable for a broad range of projects

Vue

  • Designed for frontend development
  • JS-based
  • Smaller and more simplistic than React
  • Easy integration
  • Suits projects of any size

React

  • Designed for frontend development
  • JS-based library
  • Supported by Facebook
  • Enjoys high popularity and community support
  • Powerful enough for large and complex projects

Svelte

  • Designed for frontend development
  • Compiler structure and functionality
  • Allows for building high-performance web apps
  • Straightforward syntax
  • Great for small and medium-sized projects

Now you know the purpose and characteristics of web apps and the key steps and tools for their assembly. It takes time and effort to become a top-tier software developer. It would help if you practiced a lot, monitored niche news to stay abreast of the latest technologies constantly, adopted the best practices, and searched for your own routes to professional excellence. Dedication and perseverance will help you learn to create upscale digital products.

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Introvert. Incurable tv guru. Internet lover. Twitter trailblazer. Infuriatingly humble communicator. Spent a weekend creating marketing channels for cod in New York, NY. Spent the 80's writing about fried chicken in Pensacola, FL. In 2009 I was investing in sock monkeys in the government sector. Spent high school summers exporting cannibalism in Deltona, FL. A real dynamo when it comes to donating Roombas in Miami, FL. Spent 2001-2005 supervising the production of acne for no pay.
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