Server (computing): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 08:23, 17 February 2025

Revision as of 08:24, 17 February 2025

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== Operation ==

[[File:Server-based-network.svg|thumb|A network based on the '''[[client–server model]]''' where multiple individual ''clients'' request services and resources from centralized servers]]

Strictly speaking, the term ''server'' refers to a [[computer program]] or [[process (computing)|process]] (running program). Through [[metonymy]], it refers to a device used for (or a device dedicated to) running one or several server programs. On a network, such a device is called a ''[[Host (network)|host]]''. In addition to ''server'', the words ''serve'' and ''service'' (as verb and as noun respectively) are frequently used, though ''servicer'' and ''servant'' are not.{{efn|A [[servant (CORBA)|CORBA servant]] is a server-side [[Object (computer science)|object]] to which [[method call]]s from [[remote method invocation]] are [[Forwarding (object-oriented programming)|forwarded]], but this is an uncommon usage.}} The word ''service'' (noun) may refer to the abstract form of functionality, e.g. [[Web service]]. Alternatively, it may refer to a computer program that turns a computer into a server, e.g. [[Windows service]]. Originally used as "servers serve users" (and "users use servers"), in the sense of "obey", today one often says that "servers serve data", in the same sense as "give". For instance, [[web serversserver]]s "serve [up] web pages to users" or "service their requests".

The server is part of the [[client–server model]]; in this model, a server serves data for [[Client (computing)|clients]]. The nature of communication between a client and server is [[Request–response|request and response]]. This is in contrast with [[peer-to-peer]] model in which the relationship is on-demand reciprocation. In principle, any computerized process that can be used or called by another process (particularly remotely, particularly to share a resource) is a server, and the calling process or processes is a client. Thus any general-purpose computer connected to a network can host servers. For example, if files on a device are shared by some process, that process is a [[file server]]. Similarly, [[web server]] software can ''run'' on any capable computer, and so a [[laptop]] or a personal computer can host a web server.

While request–response is the most common client-server design, there are others, such as the [[publish–subscribe pattern]]. In the publish-subscribe pattern, clients register with a pub-sub server, subscribing to specified types of messages; this initial registration may be done by request-response. Thereafter, the pub-sub server forwards matching messages to the clients ''without'' any further requests: the server ''[[Push technology|pushes]]'' messages to the client, rather than the client ''[[Pull technology|pulling]]'' messages from the server as in request-response.<ref>[https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E24329_01/web.1211/e21049/pubsub.htm Using the HTTP Publish-Subscribe Server], Oracle</ref>

== Purpose ==