Difference between Web Application and Website.
Understanding the difference between a web application and a website.
Being able to differentiate what a website and a web application is has really helped me in my coding journey. I remember back then, I do think JavaScript is just a language use for building websites with HTML and CSS. But, I was not right. JavaScript cannot only be use for building websites but web application. At the same time I was confused on what web application even mean. No idea!
I just want to clear up my doubt, solidify my knowledge and probably help people understanding the difference.
Difference between Web Application and Website.
Web Application:
Web application is piece of software that can be accessed by the browser (an application use to explore the internet).
Web application requires authentication. For example when you try connecting your Github account to your hashnode account (basically linking one account to another), you send a request to the server and the server process it and then returns a page to you requesting you to authorize the session.
Web aplication uses the combination of both server script and client side script to present information.
Example: of web applications you might know: Banking Apps, Google Apps, YouTube etc.
Website:
Website is a collection of pages and related contents(images, text, audio etc).
A website provides visual and text content that a user can view and read. Example: Blog, Community website etc.. it can be access through browser (Firefox and chrome).
Differences:
A web application is designed for interaction with the users. While a website contains static content.
The user of a web application can read content of the web application and manipulate data. Whereas on a website the user can read but not manipulate.
The web application site are precompiled before deployment. Website does not need to be precompiled.
The function of a web application is quite complex. Unlike the function of a website which is simple.
Web application is interactive for users. Website is not.
Integration is complex for web application because of it's complex functionality. Integration for website is simple.
Web application mostly require authentication. Website does not.