Contrasting the Basic Features of dApps and Apps

Computer apps have become a core part of our lives especially for those having to grow up in this 21st century. We all depend on the use of one app or the other to solve most of our day-to-day problems. Matter of factly, there’s an app today for almost every challenging issue faced by people of ancient times.

Different sectors such as communication, education, etc. show that apps have become an integral part of human life. Playing a big part in our daily activities, younger generations grow to inherit this blessing and most don’t even stop to ponder, How it all begin?

The history of apps is somewhat an interesting one. However, I wouldn’t want to bore you with many trivial talks. So let’s share one important story on the history of apps.

The Digital Turnaround

In 1997, a game proposed a model for the future. The Nokia 6110 and the now-famous snake game premiered the first model for applications. This game is the earliest and closest model of what we have today as apps. Most refer to it as the first mobile app.

Long before then, a young Steve Jobs had envisioned the App Store or at least a very basic version of it. Jobs imagined a place where software could be bought over phone lines.

Shortly after Apple introduced the iPod, the iTunes store launched, acting as a precursor to the Apple App Store. The iPhone was released in June 2007 to critical and commercial success. Native apps were developed, and just over a year later the App Store was launched.

The original App Store launched with 500 apps. Nevertheless, as new varieties of smartphones were unveiled, different app clients were introduced. Google Play, the Amazon App Store, etc. also give more people the ability to enjoy various apps on their phones.

What are Apps

Applications simply known as Apps are computer-related software programmed to execute specific tasks or carry out specific functions. They are classified and grouped based on various reasons.

Classification of Apps

Native Apps

Such apps are developed for a single mobile operating system exclusively, therefore they are “native” for a particular platform or device. The app built for systems like iOS, Android, Windows phone, or Symbian can not be used on a platform other than their own. In other words, you won’t be able to use an Android app on an iPhone.

Hybrid Apps

Hybrid apps are built using multi-platform web technologies (for example HTML5, CSS, and Javascript). Hybrid apps are mainly website applications disguised in a native wrapper.

Web Apps

These are software applications that behave in a fashion similar to native applications. Web apps use a browser to run and are usually written in HTML5, JavaScript, or CSS.

What are DApps

Decentralized applications, also known as dApps, are a new type of software application that runs on a peer-to-peer blockchain network such as Ethereum.

In other words, dApps are open-source application software that use smart contracts to run transactions on a peer-to-peer network. The best thing about these applications is that they are not owned by a central authority and cannot be shut down by anyone.

Types of dApps

dApps leverages the technology of the blockchain. It can be classified into three categories:

Type 1:
These dApps have their own blockchain, for example, Bitcoin. Other alternative cryptocurrencies with their own blockchain also fall under this category.

Type 2:
This type two (2) dApps leverages the blockchain of Type 1 apps. These decentralized apps are protocols and have tokens necessary for their functioning. Seascape Network is a good example of a Type 2 dApp.

Type 3:
Type 3 dApps use the protocol of the Type 2 application.

Differences between Apps of Dapps

Studying the characteristic features of both traditional apps and decentralized apps, here are some major differences between Apps and Dapps.

• The major difference between Apps and dApps is that Apps are managed by centralized bodies whereas dApps are decentralized.
• Apps don’t run on the blockchain. dApps work based on the functionality of blockchain technology.
• Apps do not have open-source codes whereas dApp codes are open-source and operate autonomously without the interference of any intermediary.
• dApps generate tokens to provide value to their contributing nodes. Also, miners are rewarded with tokens when they successfully contribute to the ecosystem

The Seascape Network

Seascape is an example of a dApp that runs on the Ethereum Mainnet. The network uses the functionality of the ETH blockchain and operates based on the codes of ETH smart contracts.

Seascape is a game-oriented network. It uses core concepts and technologies on the Ethereum blockchain to promote blockchain games. These technologies include but are not limited to, DeFi, crypto-tokenization, NFT economies, etc.

Seascape aims to become the one-stop solution for gamers and DeFi investors all around the world. Using the power of incentivized gaming to attract active users and excellent devs, the platform thrives to cement its place as the ultimate game platform promoting earn while you play.