Web application creation defines the process of developing, building, reviewing, and deploying cloud-based applications that are deployed on remote servers and distributed via the internet to users or customers. After the installation of a web application on an application server, users can access the application and its functions and services via any web browser, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, etc.

When software development companies started to release apps for the public, they created native applications that users can either download or buy from the store before installing on their home computer. Web applications adopt many of the same design principles as native applications, but their basic architecture lends itself to a web-based deployment model in which application resources are stored on remote servers rather than on the user’s personal computer.

Development of web applications is a collaborative effort between front-end and back-end developers, though some organizations employ full-stack developers who can fit into either role. Web application development also requires special consideration when it comes to functional and non-functional testing and to protect the host environment from malicious cyberattacks.

Web Application development roles and responsibilities

Web application development has two basic roles: front-end developer, and back-end developer. To understand their unique roles and responsibilities, we should start with a basic outline of web application architecture. The simplest web application architecture is based on a three-tier or three-layer model:

1. The application’s front-end layer is the Presentation Layer. Its main component is a graphical user interface (GUI) that enables users to communicate, access their functions and services, with the application.
2. The Business Layer contains application and business logic which facilitates the functions and services provided by the application. Within the business layer which sits between the presentation layer and the data layer, the logic for all application services is contained.
3. The Data Layer is a back-end system that houses any data needed to deliver users’ services and functionality to the application.

Web Application development and cloud services

The cloud computing service model has empowered web application development teams with low-cost access to the computing resources, data storage, and testing infrastructure that is necessary to build, host, and maintain web applications. Software development teams generally choose between two cloud service deployment models to support their development process: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS).

In the IaaS model, a cloud service provider supplies a physical data center with servers and data storage along with networking and security capabilities. A PaaS subscription includes all of these capabilities, along with operating systems and a range of web application development, database management, and business analytics tools and capabilities that support the development process. The PaaS solution stack is designed to provide developers with the tools they need to develop a functional product, including source code control, test automation, and management tools, versioning, and more.