Browser-based vs desktop app in Figma - Practice Questions

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Key difference between browser-based and desktop BI apps

Which statement best describes a key difference between browser-based and desktop business intelligence applications?

A Browser-based apps have more powerful data processing capabilities than desktop apps.

B Browser-based apps run on any device with a web browser without installation, while desktop apps require installation on a specific device.

C Desktop apps can only be used offline, while browser-based apps always require an internet connection.

D Desktop apps cannot connect to cloud data sources, but browser-based apps can.

💡 Hint

Think about how you access apps on your phone or computer without installing anything.

Browser-based BI apps run inside web browsers and do not need installation, making them accessible on many devices. Desktop apps need to be installed on each device.

🎯 Scenario

intermediate

Choosing between browser-based and desktop BI apps for remote teams

A company has a remote team using different devices and operating systems. They want easy access to BI dashboards without complex setup. Which app type is best?

A Browser-based app, because it works on any device with a browser and no installation is needed.

B Browser-based app, but only if all users have the same operating system.

C Desktop app, because it has more security features by default.

D Desktop app, because it offers better offline access.

💡 Hint

Consider ease of access and device variety for remote users.

Browser-based apps are ideal for remote teams with diverse devices because they require no installation and run on any modern browser.

❓ visualization

advanced

Visualizing performance differences between app types

You want to create a dashboard comparing load times of browser-based vs desktop BI apps across different network speeds. Which visualization best shows this comparison clearly?

A A line chart showing load time on the Y-axis and network speed on the X-axis for both app types.

B A pie chart showing the percentage of users preferring each app type.

C A stacked bar chart showing total users by app type.

D A scatter plot showing user satisfaction scores without network speed data.

💡 Hint

Think about how to show changes over a continuous variable like network speed.

A line chart clearly shows how load times vary with network speed for each app type, making it easy to compare performance trends.

🔧 Formula Fix

advanced

Identifying a problem with desktop app data refresh

A desktop BI app is not showing updated data after the source changes, but the browser-based app updates correctly. What is the most likely cause?

A The browser-based app is not connected to the data source.

B The desktop app has a bug that prevents any data display.

C The data source is offline, so no app can update data.

D The desktop app is caching old data and needs manual refresh or restart.

💡 Hint

Think about how desktop apps handle data caching compared to browser apps.

Desktop apps often cache data locally and may require manual refresh or restart to show updates, unlike browser apps which fetch fresh data on load.

❓ data_modeling

expert

Optimizing data model for browser-based BI app performance

You are designing a data model for a browser-based BI app that must load quickly over slow internet. Which approach best improves performance?

A Load all raw data into the browser and perform calculations client-side for flexibility.

B Use complex joins and calculated columns in the browser app to minimize backend work.

C Use aggregated tables and pre-calculated measures to reduce data volume sent to the browser.

D Avoid any data aggregation and send detailed data to the browser for maximum detail.

💡 Hint

Think about reducing data size and processing before sending data to the browser.

Aggregating data and pre-calculating measures on the server reduces the amount of data transferred and speeds up browser-based BI app performance, especially on slow connections.

Practice

1. Which statement best describes a browser-based app like Figma?

easy

A. It only works on mobile devices.

B. It installs on your computer and works without internet.

C. It runs inside a web browser and usually needs internet access.

D. It requires special hardware to run.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand browser-based apps

   Browser-based apps run inside web browsers like Chrome or Firefox and usually need internet to load and save data.

2. Step 2: Compare with other options

   Desktop apps install on computers and can work offline, so It installs on your computer and works without internet. is incorrect. Options C and D are unrelated to browser-based apps.

3. Final Answer:

   It runs inside a web browser and usually needs internet access. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Browser-based app = runs in browser with internet [OK]

Hint: Browser apps run in browsers and need internet [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing browser-based with desktop apps
• Thinking browser apps install on computer
• Assuming browser apps work offline

2. Which of these is the correct way to open Figma's desktop app?

easy

A. Double-click the Figma icon installed on your computer

B. Run Figma from a USB drive without installation

C. Use a mobile app store to open Figma

D. Open a web browser and go to figma.com

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify desktop app usage

   Desktop apps are installed on your computer and opened by clicking their icon.

2. Step 2: Eliminate other options

   Open a web browser and go to figma.com describes browser use, not desktop app. Use a mobile app store to open Figma is about mobile apps. Run Figma from a USB drive without installation is not typical for desktop apps.

3. Final Answer:

   Double-click the Figma icon installed on your computer -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Desktop app = open installed icon [OK]

Hint: Desktop apps open from installed icons, not browsers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing browser access with desktop app launch
• Thinking desktop apps run from USB without install
• Assuming mobile app store opens desktop app

3. If you lose internet connection, which Figma app will still let you work offline?

medium

A. None of the above

B. Browser-based Figma app

C. Mobile browser Figma

D. Desktop Figma app

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand offline capabilities

   Browser-based apps need internet, so they stop working offline.

2. Step 2: Identify desktop app features

   Desktop apps can work offline because they are installed locally and save data on your computer.

3. Final Answer:

   Desktop Figma app -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Offline work = desktop app only [OK]

Hint: Only desktop apps work offline [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming browser apps work offline
• Confusing mobile browser with desktop app
• Choosing 'None' when desktop app works offline

4. You try to open Figma desktop app but get an error saying it can't connect. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. The desktop app requires internet for some features

B. You are not connected to the internet

C. You opened the browser instead of desktop app

D. Your computer does not support browsers

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand desktop app internet needs

   Desktop apps can work offline but some features like syncing need internet.

2. Step 2: Analyze error cause

   If the app can't connect, it likely needs internet for syncing or updates, so The desktop app requires internet for some features fits best.

3. Final Answer:

   The desktop app requires internet for some features -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Desktop app needs internet for syncing [OK]

Hint: Desktop apps may need internet for syncing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming desktop apps never need internet
• Confusing browser with desktop app
• Blaming computer hardware incorrectly

5. You want to work on Figma designs during a flight with no internet. Which setup is best?

hard

A. Use the browser-based Figma app before the flight

B. Install and use the desktop Figma app on your laptop

C. Use a mobile browser to access Figma

D. Save files on a USB and open in browser offline

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify offline work needs

   Working during a flight means no internet, so you need an app that works offline.

2. Step 2: Choose the right app

   Desktop Figma app works offline if installed, so it's the best choice. Browser apps need internet, so browser-based and mobile browser options fail. Save files on a USB and open in browser offline is not possible because browser needs internet to open Figma files.

3. Final Answer:

   Install and use the desktop Figma app on your laptop -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Offline work needs desktop app installed [OK]

Hint: Offline work? Use desktop app installed on laptop [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to use browser app offline
• Assuming mobile browser works offline
• Thinking USB files open in browser without internet