Have you ever wondered how the websites and apps we use in our daily lives work behind the scenes? The food-ordering apps we use, the movie-streaming platforms we enjoy, and many others are based on an important concept: client-server architecture. This model consists of two key parts: the client (the app or website front-end) and the server (a machine or software providing the service).
What is a client and a server?
A client is a device or application that requests services or data from the server, whereas a server is a machine or software that provides services to the client based on the request. For example, think of Person A requesting a broker, Person B, to provide information about the price range for 2 BHK flats. Here, Person A acts as the client who requests the server (the broker) to provide information about the flats.
The architecture
There can be scenarios where a shopkeeper needs to enter their yearly income on a website to calculate the amount of GST they need to pay. Here, the data entered on the website (the client side) is sent to the server side for processing. The server calculates the GST and sends the response back to the client, where it is displayed.
Types Of Client
There are two types of clients:
Thick Client: In some cases, we need quick responses, such as in editing software. For these situations, most of the logic is processed on the client side to reduce latency.
Thin Client: In this case, the majority of processing and logical operations are done on the server. For example, movie-streaming platforms like Netflix rely heavily on server-side processing.
3 Tier Architecture
Sometimes, when the server needs to handle a large amount of data and requests, the 2-tier architecture can be expanded into a 3-tier architecture by adding a data layer. In this setup, the client communicates with the server, which, in turn, interacts with the database to fetch or store information.
Conclusion
Client-server architecture forms the backbone of most modern websites and applications we use daily. Understanding how clients and servers interact, along with the variations like thick and thin clients or multi-tier architectures, provides valuable insights into how technology powers our digital experiences. Whether it’s calculating taxes, streaming movies, or editing files, this fundamental model ensures seamless communication and efficient processing behind the scenes. As technology evolves, mastering these concepts becomes even more essential for developers and tech enthusiasts alike.