Server-side, client-side?

For a website to be a website two computers have to be connected. One is the server, the other one the client (for instance your home pc). The client's browser is the interface between you and the data stored on the remote server. Your browser sends a request and the server answers by presenting the data on your computer screen. If the data is supposed to be manipulated or processed in one way or the other, there has to be an application responsible for this task.

Server-side web applications

A good example for a server side application is an online store. Say you click on the link "books", the server-side database searches its data records for any items labeled as a book and then presents it to you. And so forth. Your browser is not involved in the task of retrieving the requested data. The server is doing all the work. The great advantage of server-side web applications is the ability to sample and store user data such as your book order while operating independently from the browser version the client is using to log on to the web site. Additionally, a server-side application is capable of presenting dynamic, custom taylored content. There are also great advantages with regards to website management: If the server has all necessary information already stored in its database, you can log on to the website's admin section from anywhere in the world accessing and changing the content without having to have the data sources installed on the computer you are using.

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