ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Progressive web application

A progressive web application is like a very cool and smart kid in the world of web browsing. It's a website that works like an app on your phone or tablet. This means that you can do things like install it on your home screen, receive push notifications, and have it work even if you're offline.

Just like how you have to use a lot of different toys and tools to build things, web app developers use a lot of different technologies to create progressive web applications. They use things like HTML (which is like the foundation), CSS (which makes it look nice), and JavaScript (which makes it do clever things). There are many other tools and technologies that developers use, but these are just a few of the main ones.

One of the superpowers of progressive web applications is that they use something called a service worker. Think of a service worker as a little helper that is always running in the background, helping your web application do things like load faster and use less data. It's like having a robot friend that's always ready to assist you.

So why are progressive web applications so special? Well, they bring the best of both worlds from the web and native apps. They can be accessed easily through a web browser but can also be installed like a native app. Plus, they work on any device, whether you're using an iPhone, Android, or something else.

Overall, progressive web applications are like a magical blend of websites and apps that give you an amazing experience on the web. It's like having a toy that can do all the cool things you want it to do, and it's always ready to play with you whenever you need it.
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