Web-based
Also called: web-based
Web-based means that an information system or application is based on Web technology. These systems can be divided into two categories: Web sites and Web applications. In Web-based systems, users communicate with a Web server using Web interface. Instead of installing the software on a computer, the user accesses the offered functionality and information through the Web browser.
The difference between a Web site and a Web application is that a Web site focuses on providing and exchanging public information with a wide audience, while a Web application focuses on providing information and functionality for individual users. Using techniques such as CSS, JavaScript and HTML5, it is possible to provide a similar user experience within a Web browser as with regular pre-loaded applications.
Example of web-based software
A well-known example of web-based or non-web-based software is e-mail. This is like the Web is a part of the Internet. It is possible to read and send e-mail with specialized software such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird, native programs that are installed on the user's system. Alternatively, e-mail can be used in the browser through a Web-based client. The latter category is also referred to as webmail.
