Client/Server

Client/Server is as the name suggests, you have a client application and the server application. So what does this mean? Client software does not know how to do everything that the user requires and relies on the server software for help in finishing the job.

In very basic terms, the application software (client) communicates to the server using a language called Application Programming Interface (API). The API determines the specific task accomplished between the client and the client/server software.

Client/Server software is used when there are individual PC's communicating to one or several large computers (referred to as client to server). One will usually hear about client/server when discussing database applications, such as mailing lists, product codes, etc. The large computer is usually one with a larger storage capacity and faster processing speed and enables the storage and retrieval of shared data. The users may use a LAN or WAN to communicate.