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off topic, but as a developer, I still have not figured out what is the difference between a website and a "progressive web app". I just don't get why a bunch o

off topic, but as a developer, I still have not figured out what is the difference between a website and a "progressive web app". I just don't get why a bunch of different features makes websites any different. It really just sound like a marketing buzzword too me, not backed by any meaningful technical paradigm change. What makes them 'progressive'? To me the problem with webapps in general or (rich internet applications) is that the developer has very little control over caching or storage since it's very dependent on the whims of browser engine.

postalrat 6y ago
It's kinda like when SPAs became popular. A progressive web app is just a regular website (typically a SPA but not necessarily) that typically takes advantage of a few newer web APIs that can make it behave more native app like when those APIs are supported.
eyelidlessness 6y ago
Not that I want to promote getting parler on more screens, but for the purpose of general tech education the term “progressive web app”/PWA is used for websites which include a manifest for installation as a “native” app on supporting platforms, and offline functionality when used locally without a network connection. They’re “indistinguishable” from native apps because they’re basically electron for phones, except standards-based.