Web Applications

Question 1

Define a native application.

Answer 1

A native application is an application software that is developed for use on a particular platform or device

Question 2

Define a web application.

Answer 2

A web application is an application software that runs on a web server and is accessed by a web browser

Question 3

State the 3 advantages of using native applications over web applications.

Answer 3

1. Native applications are usually more efficient than web applications because native applications are customised for a specific platform
2. Native applications tend to have more direct access to device features, such as the camera, GPS and accelerometer, as compared to web applications
3. Native applications can function without Internet access, unlike web applications

Question 4

State 3 advantages of using web applications over native applications. (5 in total)

Answer 4

1. Web applications are more platform independent and cost-efficient than native applications because web applications can run on any platform that can run a web browser, unlike native applications, which require a specific version of the native application to be developed for each platform
2. It is easier to maintain a web application with a single code base as compared to a native application with multiple code bases for different versions for different platforms
3. Users do not need to install updates to use web applications because the updating is done on the server-side, unlike native applications, which require users to install updates
4. Users do not need to download and install web applications to use them, unlike native applications, which require users to download and install them
5. Web applications are more easily shared as compared to native applications as users only need to share a URL in order to share a web application, while users have to share the program files of a native application in order to share it

Question 5

What are the roles of HTML and CSS in creating a web application?

Answer 5

HTML and CSS is used to format and beautify the page.

HTML is used to create the actual content, while the CSS is responsible for the design, styling, and layout of the page.

Question 6

What is the role of Python in creating a web application?

Answer 6

Python operates in the background to process user requests and user data.

Question 7

How is the GET method and POST method different in sending data? (2 differences)

Answer 7

1. Sending data using the GET method appends the data being sent to the URL, making it less secure while sending data using the POST method does not cause the data being sent to appear in the URL, making it more secure
2. Flask defaults to using the GET method while in order to use the POST method, it must be specified in both the HTML form attribute and the Python function

Question 8

What is the role of Python in creating a web application?

Answer 8

Python operates in the background to process user requests and user data.

Question 9

When should GET method be used when sending data?

Answer 9

When data is collected in the form of a non-sensitive input

Question 10

When should POST method be used when sending data?

Answer 10

Mostly used in sending forms, especially when handling file uploads, or sensitive data.

Question 11

What are the usability principles? (10 of them)

Answer 11

1. Visibility of System Status
2. Match between System and Real World
3. User Control and Freedom
4. Consistency and Standards
5. Error Prevention
6. Recognition rather than recall
7. Flexibility and Efficiency of use
8. Aesthetic and Minimalist Design
9. Help users recognise, diagnose, and recover from errors
10. Help and Documentation

Question 12

What is User Control and Freedom? What is an example of it?

Answer 12

User have the freedom to navigate and perform actions, including undoing accidental actions.

For example, support undo, redo, and cancel (to exit from the current interaction)