Web Browser Vs. Web Server: Know the Difference Between Web Browser and Web Server
A web browser is basically the software that we use for browsing on the internet and displaying pages. Conversely, a web server refers to the software that provides its users with the documents they request via their web browsers. In this article, we will discuss the difference between web browser and web server. Read ahead to know more.
Web Browsers are application programs. They display a www document, and they usually access the document using other internet services. On the other hand, web servers are computers or programs that can easily provide various services to clients (other programs). The browser requests for services and documents, and the server displays the web content. Here, the browser acts as a bridge or an interface between the server and the client.
When a browser receives an instruction to access a web page, it parcels this instruction using the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). The job of TCP is to ensure the correct sequence of transmission of a message and its correct unpacking at the destination/ receiver.
But before it sends the data parcels uniquely over the network, it uses the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) for putting an address label on this message that is unique to it. This message goes from the browser to the server- known as the HTTP request. The web server receives it, searches the appropriate page, verifies and locates it. It then parcels the HTML present in the intended page using TCP or another protocol of the transport layer, addresses this parcel using HTTP to the browser, then transmits them across the network. The browser displays this message (response) from the server, also known as the HTTP response.
When a web server can’t find the page that the user requested, it transmits a page with an error message to the browser. The message reads Error 404 – page not found.
Difference Between Web Browser and Web Server
| Parameters | Web Browser | Web Server |
| Definition and Purpose | It is a type of software that we use for browsing and displaying web pages that might be available over the internet. | It is a type of software that searches, finds, and provides documents to the browsers, as requested by them. |
| Basics | A web browser acts as a link/ interface between a client and a server. Its primary function is to display various web documents to the clients requesting them. | A web server functions to accept browser requests, generate responses, maintain the web apps, and accept the client data. |
| Process | It sends various requests to the servers to find web-based services and documents. | It approves the browser requests after seeing them, and it sends the intended documents in response. |
| Role of HTTP | A web browser transmits an HTTP request to the server and gets an HTTP response back. | A web server basically receives the HTTP request from the browser and responds to it using an HTTP response. |
| Storage of Data | The web browsers basically store their users’ data in the local machines using cookies. | The web servers provide their users with a separate area to store the websites and the web pages contained in them. |
| Processing Model | It contains no processing model. | It majorly follows processing models of three types: thread-based, process-based, or hybrid. |
| Installation | We install a web browser on the machine/ device of the user- like a laptop, desktop, tablet, smartphone, etc. | One can easily install a web server anywhere. But the server needs to be on a local computer or on a network. |
| Example | Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, etc. | Apache Server. |
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