Learn what a server is in computing. A clear, concise definition explaining its role in storing, processing, and delivering data over a network like the internet.
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A server is a specialized computer or software program that provides a service to other computers, known as clients, over a network. Its primary function is to manage network resources and respond to requests from clients. Think of it as a central hub that stores, processes, and delivers data on demand.
Servers can be physical machines (hardware) or virtual programs (software). There are many types of servers, each with a specific job. For example, a web server hosts websites and delivers their content to your browser. A file server stores and manages files for multiple users, and an email server handles sending and receiving emails.
When you type a website address into your web browser, your computer (the client) sends a request over the internet to a web server. The server finds the requested webpage files, processes them, and sends them back to your browser, which then displays the website for you to see. Every online action, from streaming a video to sending a message, involves this client-server interaction.
Servers are the backbone of the internet and modern computing. They enable everything from hosting websites and streaming videos to running online games and storing cloud-based documents. Without servers, we wouldn't be able to share information, communicate, and collaborate on the massive scale we do today.