Widgetry 101

What is a Widget?

In the virtual world of computers and software, widgets are mini programs. Those programs can stand alone to do just one thing, or they can fit together with larger applications to help the application do its job more efficiently. Basically there are two types of widgets. There are desktop /mobile widgets, and there are web widgets. Desktop widgets are designed to help users do one thing. Web widgets may be embedded in web pages and may have an effect on SEO or page performance.

What is the difference between an icon, a widget, and an app?

In simple terms, an icon is a graphical representation or symbol of a real object. That object might be a widget, an app (application), or something else. The icon is a short-cut to the object. It makes locating and opening a widget or application much faster

A widget is a small program designed to run on its own or to interact with other applications to help that particular application do its job. In the stand-alone category a couple of examples include calculators, weather reports, and clocks. Mobile widgets also fall into this category. They are like desktop widgets for phones and tablets. They help to maximize screen space and operating speed. Widgets have been called many names: gadgets, portlets, even snippets.

An app or application is usually a larger program that does more than one thing. Microsoft Word is an application for Windows, Itunes is an application for Mac/Apple, and Gimp is an application for Linux. Applications…