Advantages of Using a SharePoint App (SharePoint App Model)

Following are the benefits of SharePoint App:

1.      Apps are self-contained pieces of functionality

2.      Apps are executed in the client machine or cloud . This makes Apps makes easier installation and cleanup. 

3.      Sandboxed Solutions are deprecated and new custom solutions should be provided through Apps.

4.      Apps provides more safety, less impact to the SharePoint server

5.      Apps can be made available through SharePoint App Store

6.      Opportunity for Developers in generating revenue through selling Apps

Following are the advantages of Apps from the User perspective:

1.      Apps are available through:

a.      App Catalog within Organization

b.      App Store outside Organization

2.      Apps provides easiest discover & installation

3.      More Apps are available through SharePoint App Store as compared with Sandboxed Solutions.

4.      Apps provides future upgrade support



Following are the advantages of Apps from the Administrator perspective:

1.      Apps are Safer than Sandboxed Solutions as they are executed outside server environment

2.      Apps induce Less Load to server than Sandboxed Solutions

3.      Apps are Configurable by Administrators allowing them to restrict usage of Apps by users



Following are the advantages of Apps from the Developer perspective:
1.      Web Programming skills are reusable in creating Apps

2.      Common web standards of HTML, JavaScript, CSS can be used to develop Apps

3.      Visual Studio 2012 supports App project templates

4.      Like the Sandboxed Solutions, developer can access SharePoint lists & libraries within Apps

5.      Opportunity to create & publish Apps to SharePoint store

6.      More potential in developing revenues through Apps

Building Apps

For starting with building Apps, you can follow the link:

            http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj163230.aspx