native application (native app)
A native application (native app) is an application program that has been developed for use on a
particular platform or device. The term is often mentioned in the context of mobile computing
because, traditionally, mobile applications have been created to work on a specific device
platform.
Native applications offer some benefits over Web
applications. A native application is installed on the device and responds more quickly than a
Web application because the interface is more direct. Because they’re written for a particular
platform, native apps can interact with and take advantage of features of the operating system and
other software that is typically installed with that platform.
Nevertheless, most mobile devices have browsers and can access Web applications. There is
considerable crossover between the two approaches and most common applications contain elements of
both. (See: hybrid
application)
See also: mobile
browser, iPhone, smart phone, tablet PC
This was last updated in June 2011
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