A native application is an installable binary executable built to run directly on a target platform rather than in a web browser. The choice between a binary application and a web app shapes decisions about deployment, performance, security, and device access. section 1.3
Choose a native application when you need capabilities that are especially important outside the browser:
- Use multiple threads when application performance requires more than browser execution allows. section 1.3
- Store sensitive data offline with encryption on the device before synchronizing it with a cloud service. section 1.3
- Access device hardware and platform APIs for experiences such as augmented reality. section 1.3
.NET MAUI across platforms
.NET MAUI demonstrates that native and cross-platform are compatible: one application can compile to native binaries for each target platform. The same code can provide a DatePicker on Android and Windows while retaining platform-appropriate behavior and appearance. section 1.3 section 1.6
Figure 1.3 Assuming you are a .NET developer, the biggest decision to make is whether you want to build a web app or an installable/executable app. If you choose to build an executable, .NET MAUI is a no-brainer.
Use the decision flow to compare an installable executable with a web application before selecting a development approach. section 1.3
