The new generation of PowerServer (PowerServer 2021) enables you to automatically deploy PowerBuilder projects as “desktop cloud apps”. As indicated by the name, such applications feature both “desktop” and “cloud” attributes.
Desktop meaning the application will still run natively on the Windows desktop with the powerful functionality and rich user interface of a desktop application.
Cloud meaning the database and the database-related operations residing in the cloud (rather than on-premise) with automatic deployment of the client to users over the Internet.
In other words, you can think of “desktop cloud apps” as the modern desktop app that requires Internet connection to install and run.