Web Servers vs. Application Servers: Differences and Examples

The server handles requests made by your browser when you are online. Technically, there are two types of servers that handle these requests: web servers and application servers.

Web servers handle requests for static content, such as HTML pages, images, videos, or files. The application server manages requests for dynamic content that changes based on your interaction with the web page.

This article compares web servers and application servers to understand when to use one or the other.

Used by some companies that rely on web servers Web server acceleration tools Reduce response times and speed up content delivery. This helps when there are a lot of requests to respond to. Application servers often take longer to respond because they handle complex business logic.

Web servers serve static content by sending Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) pages, documents, videos, and images to a Web browser and using the responses Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

Application servers facilitate interaction between users and server-side application code when delivering Web content.It also provides dynamic contentsuch as instant analysis.

However, distinguishing the two has become tricky.Today’s web servers use scripting languages ​​such as Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) or Active Server Pages (ASP) to make content dynamic. When this happens, the application server has started using HTTP for communication and providing a reverse proxy. load balancingand various other services to improve performance and reliability. It helps developers focus more on application development rather than infrastructure.

Because of these overlaps, professionals refer to these two servers as web application servers. Many people use these two terms interchangeably because they can do both jobs easily.

How do web servers work?

a net server Manage all the details of your website’s code and data. Whenever you enter a website’s URL into your browser, you are actually looking for the web server where the website is located.

Websites that contain static content such as articles or images can be used with web servers. However, modern web pages contain multiple interactive elements, such as filling out forms. These interactions require application servers to work smoothly. We’ll go over how application servers work in detail in a few sections, but first let’s discuss the use case for web servers.

What is a web server used for?

Web servers extensively manage websites and data. They handle browser requests so that correct responses are sent, ensuring communication with legitimate users and keeping malicious hackers out.

During periods of heavy traffic, web servers control how much data is sent back and forth to prevent slowdowns or website crashes. This helps the web server manage more visitors easily. Some organizations use web server accelerator software to reduce response times, and they also use compression technology to increase connection speeds.

With server-side web scripting, developers can create pages that adjust to how users interact with them. Programming languages, such as PHP, Pythonand Ruby makes it possible, helping developers add more interactivity and personalization.

These servers typically use virtual hosting to run multiple websites or applications. This helps to utilize resources efficiently and reduce costs.

Example of web server

Here are some common web server examples that engineers might talk about.

nginx

Nginx serves web content and handles reverse proxies to direct web traffic to multiple sources. It uses load balancing to distribute traffic among multiple servers, making the servers fast and efficient.

The server can also handle email proxies and provide HTTP caching. Nginx uses HTTP cache to store standard responses to requests. When a similar request comes, Nginx responds with the old response.

Several companies, including Dropbox, Zynga, and Netflix, use Nginx to manage large amounts of incoming traffic.

Apache HTTP server

Apache HTTP Server, commonly known as Apache, appeared in 1995 and is known for its reliability and flexibility. It has long powered most websites. As of the end of 2019, Apache operated more than 24% of all websites and approximately 31% of the busiest websites.

The server’s longevity and continued use prove its powerful features and capabilities to manage major traffic.

How does the application server work?

Now that we’ve introduced web servers, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of application servers.

Application servers enable web servers to better interact with dynamic content. They use application logic and connect the web server to different sources. They also facilitate communication between application code and other systems and databases, providing users with a better online experience.

For example, when you shop online, you interact with the application server when you add items to your shopping cart or update shipping details.

What is an application server used for?

Application servers make communicating with databases and other systems easier. They fulfill complex requests from your browser and facilitate actions or computer functionality. The application server does the heavy lifting to get the content the user wants.

The application server stores the cached data, so you won’t have any trouble retrieving the same content in the future. They also ensure that data flows smoothly and that request and response channels are secure enough to ensure information security.

There are different types of application servers. Some focus on handling multiple user requests simultaneously, while others focus on improving the application. Here are three common types of application servers you may encounter.

• Active server Run scripts on the server side and communicate with the database to generate dynamic content. They are good at managing data while providing you with instant updates.

• Network information server is an application server dedicated to finding the web content you need. They look through digital files to find the page you need. These servers focus on serving pages that change based on your interactions.

• component server Host and manage small pieces of software called components. You can use them to build various features when updating your app. This makes it easier for you to improve existing applications.

Application Server Example

Here are some common examples of application servers. They play an important role in providing dynamic content directly to Java applications.

Apache Tomcat

Apache Tomcat is suitable for Java applications. It runs small Java programs on servers called Java Servlets to respond to Web requests and create web pages using JavaServer Page code (JSP), and supports Java Enterprise Edition applications.

After its release in 1998, Apache Tomcat became the first choice for Java Web applications due to its comprehensive support for Java technology and open source features.

glass fish

Glassfish was launched in 2006 and supports Java applications, Servlets and standards. Sun Microsystems has added dual functionality, meaning Glassfish can operate as an application and as a Web server, serving static content while running complex Java applications.

Developers like the flexibility of working in a Java environment.

Web Servers vs. Application Servers: Key Takeaways

Here are some key differences you can understand between web and application servers. Let’s compare the two.

• Features and content types: Web servers handle HTTP requests to deliver static content to clients. Instead, application servers serve dynamic content based on business logic.

• Processing: The web server does not handle any business logic. This makes them more responsive than application servers. The latter may require more processing power and time as they manage complex consumer requests.

• Intermediary software services: Middleware acts as a framework between the front-end and back-end of an application.Application servers provide connection pooling, messaging services, transaction management, etc. middleware Serve. Web servers don’t provide these.

• Load balancing: The application serves as built-in support for load clustering and balancing. It can be easily scaled to manage load efficiently.Web servers, on the other hand, require additional tools for load balancing and failover.

judgment

The above differences clearly indicate that Web servers and application servers serve different purposes. Web servers are better when you want faster content delivery. However, application servers work better when you need to support complex application logic and serve dynamic content.

Learn more about application server And how to choose the right product for your business.