How Does an Application Server Differ from a Web Server?

When it comes to server architecture, it's important to understand the distinction between an application server and a web server. The main difference lies in their primary functions and the tasks they are designed to handle.

Web Server:

A web server is responsible for serving static content to users, such as HTML pages, images, and CSS files. It handles incoming HTTP requests and responds by sending the requested files to the client's browser. Web servers are designed to deliver web content efficiently and securely.

Application Server:

On the other hand, an application server is designed to handle dynamic content and business logic. It is responsible for executing application code, processing database queries, managing transactions, and generating dynamic content based on user input. Application servers provide the backend infrastructure necessary for running complex web applications.

In essence, while a web server focuses on serving static content, an application server goes a step further by executing application code and handling dynamic requests.

Understanding the distinction between these two types of servers is crucial for designing a robust and efficient web application architecture.