Q.In the computer science class, Sunil and Jagdish were assigned the following task by their teacher.

Software vs Web Apps: A First Look

Think about the last time you used a calculator. You probably opened an app on your phone — it's there in your app drawer, it opens instantly, and it works even when you're on a plane with no internet. Now think about booking a train ticket on IRCTC. You open a browser, type the website address, and everything happens online — if your internet cuts out mid-booking, you're stuck.

That difference — between something that lives on your device and something that lives on the internet — is the core of software versus web apps.

What is a Software Application?

A software application (often called a "desktop app" or "native app") is a program that you install directly onto your computer or phone. It runs using your device's own processor and memory. The code that makes it work is stored on your device, not somewhere else.

Examples you already know: Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, the calculator on your phone, or a game like Solitaire that came with your computer. These are all software applications.

The key point: once installed, they mostly work without an internet connection. They are self-contained. Updates happen when you choose to download a new version, not automatically every time you open them.

What is a Web Application?

A web application (or "web app") is a program that you access through a web browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge. You don't install it. Instead, you type a URL, and the app runs on a remote server somewhere. Your browser acts like a window into that server.

Examples: Gmail, Google Docs, Netflix (when you watch through a browser), online banking portals, and yes, IRCTC. You are not "installing" these — you are visiting them.

The critical difference: web apps need the internet to function (at least for most of their features). The heavy lifting — storing your data, processing your requests — happens on the server, not on your device.

The Core Differences at a Glance

Why This Distinction Matters

For a commerce or humanities student, this isn't just technical trivia — it has real-world consequences.

Cost and business model. Software apps are usually sold as a one-time purchase (you buy Microsoft Office once). Web apps are often subscription-based (you pay monthly for Netflix or Adobe Creative Cloud). Why? Because the company maintains servers and keeps updating the web app — they need ongoing revenue. …