Web Interface or Graphic UI

Question

Hey, i've a simple question.

Task: Program a backup system which can be used by server-, or desktop-systems. The backup system should include a graphical configuration and status view. The programming language should be Java.

Question: Would you use a web interface, which will solve these jobs or would you create a GUI in Swing?

My thoughts: - The web interface has the advantage that is is accessible from everywhere (server - configuration made easy without any additional software on the client side). - The GUI has the advantage that it is more responsive than a web interface and will maybe look more professional on a desktop-system than, the web interface version.

Which solution whould you choose?

Thanks!

Answer 1

The desktop vs. web app discussion usually depends on who would use the application, and from where. If it's always going to be used by the person sitting at their desk (or at the desk of the server), a desktop application is a good choice. If the user may be remote a web application is the way to go.

Another consideration is deployment. Is this going to be deployed on one or two machines, or does it need to be installed / available to 10's, 100's or 1000's of users? Deployment and updates across hundreds of machines can be onerous for desktop applications, but a non-issue with web-based apps.

Generally speaking, you can give a much richer experience with a desktop app. In this case, however, "rich" isn't really a requirement. You're going to have a few buttons, perhaps a window showing a log of some sort, and that's about it. So from a usability perspective you can probably create a compelling UI using either method.

If deployment and a rich UI don't really factor in, pick the one that either a) you know well, so you can do a good job, or b) want to learn assuming you have the time.

Since the actual question you asked was "which would you choose", personally I'd choose a desktop GUI based on the little information provided in your question.