Blockchain Technology - Stupid Question

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Hi Guys,

A cryptonoob here. Hoping someone could help me out if that's alright

I want to understand - for a platform like Ethereum or NEO, is there a need to create a token? Or can you use their platform for build applications without the need to create tokens.

For the applications, they'll just use gas to carry out transactions.

Please correct me or enlighten me.

Thanks.