Think together · Start with a story
A girl clicks “Next page.” The robot notices that the browser sent a new request, and the server returns a result.
Break down the process
- BrowserRequests a resource
- ServerProcesses the request
- ResponseReturns a status and data
- BrowserUpdates the visible page
Browsers and servers exchange data through protocols.
Visiting a page may involve many requests: the main document, images, and styles are fetched separately. Some interactions request only a small piece of data and update the current page without downloading it all again.
A successful request, a successful operation, and a successful page display are different stages. Each may need to be checked.
Your turn to try
If nothing changes after clicking a button, does that prove the server never received the request?
Ready? Open to see the explanation
Not necessarily. The response could have an error, or the browser may have failed to update. Check each stage.
One idea to remember
Browsers and servers exchange data through protocols.
Try covering the picture above and explaining each step to your family. If one step is hard to explain, revisit that card.