Think together · Start with a story
A girl opens a story. A program receives the request and sends the content back. The robot calls it the server side.
Break down the process
- Wait for a requestBe ready to provide a service
- Receive itWork out what is needed
- Process itRead or calculate content
- Return a responseSend it to the client
A server can mean software that provides a service, and often the computer running that software.
Like a library desk, it receives a request, finds information, and gives back a result. A web server might read a file or query a database and then create a page.
“Client” and “server” describe roles in a communication, not simply the size of a machine.
Your turn to try
Can a small computer that runs a web service and accepts requests act as a server?
Ready? Open to see the explanation
Yes. What matters is that it provides a service. Performance and reliability needs depend on how it is used.
One idea to remember
A server can mean software that provides a service, and often the computer running that software.
Try covering the picture above and explaining each step to your family. If one step is hard to explain, revisit that card.