Rich Internet applications (RIA) are web applications that have the features and functionality of traditional desktop applications. RIAs typically transfer the processing necessary for the user interface to the web client but keep the bulk of the data (i.e., maintaining the state of the program, the data etc.) back on the application server. They run in a browser and and typically do not require software installation. Other features are:
- installation is not required -- updating and distributing the application is an instant, automatically handled process
- updates/upgrades to new versions are automatic
- users can use the application from any computer with an internet connection, and usually regardless of what operating system that computer is running
- web-based applications are generally less prone to viral infection than running an actual executable
