Mobile app types (native, web, hybrid) in Intro to Computing - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a native mobile app?

A native mobile app is built specifically for one mobile platform (like iOS or Android) using that platform's programming language and tools. It can use all device features and usually runs faster.

beginner

What defines a web mobile app?

A web mobile app runs inside a mobile device's web browser. It is built using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and does not need installation from an app store.

intermediate

What is a hybrid mobile app?

A hybrid mobile app combines features of native and web apps. It is built with web technologies but wrapped inside a native container, so it can be installed and access some device features.

beginner

Which mobile app type usually offers the best performance and access to device features?

Native apps usually offer the best performance and full access to device features because they are built specifically for the platform.

intermediate

Why might a developer choose a hybrid app over a native app?

A developer might choose a hybrid app to save time and cost by writing one codebase for multiple platforms, while still allowing installation and some device feature access.

Which app type runs inside a mobile device's web browser?

A Native app

B Desktop app

C Web app

D Hybrid app

Web apps run inside the mobile device's browser using web technologies.

Which app type is built using platform-specific languages like Swift or Kotlin?

A Web app

B Native app

C Hybrid app

D Progressive web app

Native apps are built using platform-specific languages such as Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android.

What is a key advantage of hybrid apps?

A Single codebase for multiple platforms

B Runs only on one platform

C No installation needed

D Always faster than native apps

Hybrid apps allow developers to write one codebase that works on multiple platforms.

Which app type usually requires installation from an app store?

A None of the above

B Web app

C Browser extension

D Native app

Native apps are installed from app stores like Google Play or Apple App Store.

Which app type has limited access to device features?

A Web app

B Hybrid app

C Native app

D All have full access

Web apps have limited access to device features compared to native or hybrid apps.

Explain the differences between native, web, and hybrid mobile apps.

Think about how each app is built and how it runs on devices.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing a hybrid app?

Consider cost, performance, and device access.

Practice

1. Which type of mobile app runs directly in a web browser without needing installation?

easy

A. Web app

B. Native app

C. Hybrid app

D. Desktop app

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand app installation requirements

   Web apps run inside browsers and do not require installation on the device.

2. Step 2: Compare app types

   Native apps need installation and are built for specific platforms; hybrid apps combine features but still often require installation.

3. Final Answer:

   Web app -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Runs in browser = Web app [OK]

Hint: Apps in browsers without install are web apps [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing native apps with web apps
• Thinking hybrid apps don't need installation
• Assuming desktop apps run on phones

2. Which of the following is the correct description of a native app?

easy

A. An app that runs only in web browsers

B. An app built specifically for one platform using device features

C. An app that mixes web and native code but cannot access device features

D. An app that requires no installation and works offline only

Solution

1. Step 1: Define native app characteristics

   Native apps are built for a specific platform (like iOS or Android) and use device features like camera or GPS.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Web apps run in browsers; hybrid apps mix code and can access some features; offline-only apps are not native by definition.

3. Final Answer:

   An app built specifically for one platform using device features -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Native = platform-specific with device features [OK]

Hint: Native apps use device features and need platform-specific build [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking native apps run in browsers
• Believing hybrid apps cannot access device features
• Confusing offline-only apps with native apps

3. Look at this description: "An app that uses web technologies but is wrapped to run on multiple platforms and can access some device features." Which app type is this?

medium

A. Hybrid app

B. Native app

C. Web app

D. Desktop app

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the description

   The app uses web technologies but is wrapped to run on many platforms and accesses device features.

2. Step 2: Match description to app types

   Native apps are platform-specific; web apps run only in browsers; hybrid apps combine web code with native wrappers and device access.

3. Final Answer:

   Hybrid app -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Web + native wrapper = Hybrid app [OK]

Hint: Hybrid apps mix web code with native wrappers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing native app for multi-platform web code
• Confusing web apps with hybrid apps
• Selecting desktop app which is unrelated

4. A developer wants to create an app that runs fast and uses all phone features but writes only one codebase for all platforms. What is the main problem with this plan?

medium

A. Hybrid apps are always slow

B. Web apps cannot access phone features

C. Native apps require separate codebases for each platform

D. Desktop apps are not for phones

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand native app development

   Native apps are fast and use all phone features but need separate codebases for iOS and Android.

2. Step 2: Identify the conflict in the plan

   The developer wants one codebase for all platforms, which is not possible with native apps.

3. Final Answer:

   Native apps require separate codebases for each platform -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Native = separate codebases [OK]

Hint: Native apps need separate code for each platform [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking native apps use one codebase
• Believing hybrid apps are always slow
• Confusing desktop apps with mobile apps

5. A company wants an app that works offline, uses device camera, and can be updated instantly without app store approval. Which app type best fits these needs?

hard

A. Native app

B. Web app

C. Desktop app

D. Hybrid app

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze offline and device feature needs

   The app must work offline and use the device camera, which web apps alone cannot fully support.

2. Step 2: Consider update and deployment needs

   Instant updates without app store approval are easier with web-based code wrapped in hybrid apps.

3. Step 3: Match requirements to app types

   Native apps support features but require app store updates; web apps lack device access; hybrid apps combine both advantages.

4. Final Answer:

   Hybrid app -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Offline + device access + instant update = Hybrid app [OK]

Hint: Hybrid apps combine offline, device access, and easy updates [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing native app despite update delays
• Selecting web app lacking device access
• Ignoring hybrid app benefits