An app server, short for application server, is a software framework or platform that manages and deploys web applications and services. It acts as an intermediary between users and the back-end databases or resources, handling business logic, security and data access.
App servers play a crucial role in web application development and delivery by processing client requests and generating dynamic content.
App servers serve various purposes in web application development and deployment. Some common uses include:
A web server is a software that handles HTTP requests from clients (web browsers) and serves static content like HTML, images and files to display web pages.
An app server and a web server have different roles in web and mobile apps. The web server is like a bridge between the client (usually a web browser) and the web application.
The app server, on the other hand, executes the application's logic, processes data and generates dynamic content based on user input.
The app server works closely with a web server to deliver complete web applications to users. Together both of them make websites and web applications work smoothly.
There are several types of servers, each designed to cater to specific needs, key features and technology stacks. But broadly, there are three types:
Active servers are a type of application server that actively execute server-side scripts and interact with databases and other resources to generate dynamic content in response to client requests. They handle business logic, process data and provide real-time responses to users.
Web information servers are application servers specifically designed to handle requests related to web content and information retrieval. They process queries, manage databases and deliver dynamic web pages containing relevant information to users.
Component servers, also known as component-based application servers, are designed to host and manage reusable software components. These components can be dynamically assembled and executed to provide specific functionalities for web applications, promoting modularity and code reusability.
There are many examples of app servers that cater to specific languages, frameworks or use cases. Listed below are some of the most commonly used:
These app servers are designed to support Java Enterprise Edition applications, providing a range of Java-specific features and functionalities.
Specifically tailored for Microsoft's .NET framework, these servers facilitate the deployment and execution of .NET applications.
Geared towards hosting PHP-based applications, these servers are popular choices for websites and web applications developed using PHP.
Node.js servers are optimised for running applications built on the Node.js runtime, well-suited for real-time and data-intensive applications.
These servers support hosting Python-based applications and are often used for web development with frameworks like Django or Flask.
Optimised for Ruby on Rails applications, these servers simplify the deployment process for Ruby-based web apps.
This lightweight Java-based app server is commonly used for hosting Java servlets and JavaServer Pages (JSP).
While not strictly an app server, IIS can function as one for .NET applications and other web technologies on Windows servers.
An open-source Java EE application server designed for enterprise-level applications.
Although primarily known as a web server, Nginx can also function as an app server, especially for serving static content or acting as a reverse proxy server.
The choice of an app server depends on the technology stack and requirements of the web application being developed.
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