What is the relationship between web application servers and domain names?

Question

I'm not entirely clear on that. In full stack web development there's the database -> web application server -> front end. The database is where the data is, the front end is the statically typed visuals the user interacts with, and the web application server is? Like a domain, a host for websites?

Answer 1

Think of a website like a house. The website's address, such as "www.example.com," is like your home address. It's what you type into your web browser to visit the website.

Now, inside the website, there are three important parts:

1. **Web App Server:** This is like the kitchen in a restaurant. It's where all the important work happens behind the scenes. When you visit a website, this server handles your requests and provides you with the content you see. It's responsible for processing your requests and making sure you get the right information.

2. **Database:** This is like the fridge in a restaurant's kitchen. It's where all the ingredients or data are kept. The website stores and retrieves data from here. When the web app server needs information, it goes to the database to get it, just like a chef would go to the fridge to get the ingredients for a dish.

So, when you type a domain name into your browser, it's like telling the website's server, "Take me to this address." The server and the database work together to give you the content you requested. The server is like the brain of the website, figuring out what to show you based on your request.

Answer 2

@Coderwe2 Makes sense but why is the web application server needed? Why can't the user request information from a database directly?

Answer 3

Why Not Directly from the Database?

1. Security: Directly connecting to the database from the internet is risky. It's like letting anyone open your fridge. You want to keep sensitive stuff safe.

2. Data Processing: The web app server is like a chef who prepares the food properly before serving it. It makes sure everything is right, adds flavors, and follows recipes (rules).

3. Handling Many People: The web app server can serve many people at once, like a chef in a busy restaurant. If everyone went straight to the fridge, it would get chaotic.

4. Speed: It can save time by storing often-used stuff, so you don't have to keep going to the fridge for the same thing.

5. User-Friendly: The web app server makes the website easy to use. It's like a friendly waiter who takes your order and makes sure you get what you want.

Answer 4

@Coderwe2 Of course I won't know the specifics until I finish studying but your explanation made a lot of sense, thanks!

Answer 5

Your welcome