Most apps are just Database front ends. Change my mind

This is the perfect example of what makes engagement optimized social media so poor for idea exploration. What could have been an interesting discussion about how to move application logic and db logic meaningfully closer together is replaced by some flame bait and mediocre meme responses.

There are two classes of application that are of interest here. One that is in fact a glossy database front end that might be embellished with data validation and multiple input and out mechanisms. These apps are often very good at guiding users in the addition or selection of data.

The other class is one where the application manages a business process, with or without people being involved. In this case the data is more saved state rather than business data. Obviously other data will be involved but if the primary purpose is managing the process then I consider this to be a counter example.

And most of them, I just wish I could access that database directly.

The popularity of Ruby on Rails suggests that @ngaut1 is correct.

Gimp/photoshop

OpenOffice/libreoffice

Gcc/clang

Non-turn-based video games

Animated and rendered graphics

Calculators

Hardware drivers (radio, compass, metal detector, accelerometer)

Sure, apps have data storage and “frontends” for UI and computation.

We could say most databases are just backends for UI and computations.

So UX means nothing to you? Lol