What is Web Application? Client vs Server Side Explained
A web application is a software or program which is accessible using any web browser. Its frontend is usually created using languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, which are supported by major browsers.
What is Web Application?
A web application is accessible via browser and has two types of components:
- Client Side Components
- Server Side Components
Client Side Components
- Used to create client-side applications.
- Used when the user's browser already has the code.
- Web browser executes the client-side scripting.
- Cannot be used to connect to databases on the web server.
- Cannot access the file system that resides at the web server.
- Response from client-side script is faster than server-side script.
- Example: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery etc.
Server Side Components
- Used to create server-side applications.
- Used to create dynamic pages.
- Web server executes the server-side program or script.
- Used to connect to databases that reside on web server.
- Can access the file system residing at the web server.
- Response from server-side is slower compared to client-side.
- Example: Servlet, JSP etc.
Why You Need a Web Application?
Following are the reasons:
- Performance - Presentation tier can cache requests, network utilization is minimized, load reduced on Application and Data tiers.
- Provides better reusability.
- Improved Data Integrity.
- Improved Security - Client does not have direct access to database layer.
- Forced separation of user interface logic and business logic.
- Easy to maintain, manage, scale, loosely coupled etc.
- High performance, lightweight persistent objects.
- Scalability - Each tier can scale horizontally.
- Data availability 24x7.
Web Application vs Website
| Web Application | Website |
|---|---|
| It is used to perform interaction with the end user. | It contains static content that is accessible to all visitors. |
| It is part of a website, not a complete website itself. | It is a complete website accessible from browser. |
| It must be precompiled before deployment. | It doesn't need to be precompiled. |
| It not only reads page content but also manipulates restricted data. | Its content can be viewed and read only. |
| It needs authentication. | Authentication is not obligatory for informational websites. |
Conclusion
Web applications are essential for modern interactive web systems. Client-side components provide fast response in browser while server-side components handle business logic, database access, and security. Understanding the difference between web application and website is crucial for Java web development with Servlets and JSP.
Next: Servlet Introduction, JSP Tutorial, MVC Architecture
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