What is a client and a server?

 

Client: 

Clients are devices (like computers, smartphones, tablets) or software applications that are capable of connecting to a network and initiating requests for data or services and then wait for the server to respond. Client sends a request to the server using the network medium. The request can be a query, a command, or a message. 

 Server: 

The server is the application in charge of processing requests, sending responses, or completing actions. Servers are designed to listen for incoming requests from clients, process those requests, and respond accordingly. The response from the server can be data, an acknowledgement, or an error message. 

The client sends a request for data from a computer or other device, and the server accepts and accommodates the request and then sends the data back to the user or performs further actions based on it. Clients and servers communicate using predefined protocols and standards, such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) for web-based applications or TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) for general network communication.

Many companies across various industries use servers to store and access information. Client-Server Architecture is widely used for network applications such as email, web, online banking, e-commerce, etc.