Client vs Server
The client is the device or application requesting something, the server is the remote machine that receives that request and sends back a response. Almost every online interaction is a client asking a server for something.
Client
The device or application, like a web browser on a computer or smartphone, that requests information from a server.
Server
A computer or system that stores data, runs applications, and responds to requests from clients over the internet.
| Role | Requests data or actions | Processes requests and returns responses |
|---|---|---|
| Where it lives | The user's device (phone, laptop, browser) | A remote machine, often in the cloud |
| Example | Your phone's app opening a page | The remote computer sending that page's data back |