presentation server vs application server

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Presentation and Application Servers in SAP

Updated May 18, 2018

What are presentation and application servers in SAP?

Presentation Server is actually a program named Sapgui.exe. It is usually installed on a user’s workstation. Application Server is a set of executables that collectively interpret the ABAP/4 programs and manage the input & output for them.

In an ABAP/4 program how do you access data that exists on a presentation server v/s on an application server?

• For presentation server use UPLOAD or WS_UPLOAD function modules.
• For application server use OPEN DATASET, READ DATASET and CLOSE DATASET commands.

Describe the syntax and function of the AUTHORITY CHECK command?

Ans :- AUTHORITY – CHECK OBJECT

Presentation server is actually a program named Sapgui.exe. It is usually installed On a user’s workstation. Application server is a set of executables that collectively interpret the ABAP/4 Programs and manage the input & output for them.

• 03 Jan 2009 10:27 am Guest Helpful Answer Des millers de PME/PMI/MULTI NATIONALES utilisent SAP avec succès. Pourquoi pas vous? Découvrez avec mon site comment utiliser SAP R3 et SAP ECC avec une documentation d'utilisation complète et téléchargeable au format PDF online ! Vous trouverez des guides de paramétrage, des guides fonctionnels, des exemples d'ABAP, des liens sur SAP sur les modules logistiques (MM PM SD QM), les IDOCS, l'administration,.. Si vous recherchez un guide d'utilisation, un guide de paramétrage ou des documents, des liens utiles, des présentations sur SAP R/3 et ECC, si vous voulez en savoir plus sur SAP et l'ABAP, si vous voulez vous Initiatiez à SAP avec NetWeaver, mon site 100% gratuit est là pour vous aider. Discover how to use SAP R3 and SAP ECC with a comprehensive and downloadable documentation in PDF format! You'll find customizing guides, functional guides, examples of ABAP, .. The purpose of my personnal guides is to help you to understanding how to work SAP. If you search SAP Study Guides, Tutorials or docs (User manual SAP, User guide SAP or Operating instructions for SAP R3 and SAP ECC), my website 100% free can help you. -- Mickael QUESNOT CONSULTANT SAP Formateur ERP au CESI Administrateur du site http://www.sharesap.com (Tutoriels SAP on line).

The application layer of an R/3 System is made up of the application servers and the message server. Application programs in an R/3 System are run on application servers. The application servers communicate with the presentation components, the database, and also with each other, using the message server.

• 06 Jan 2009 9:52 am Banumathy Sankar An application sever is a set of executables that collectively interpret the ABAP/4 programs and manage the i/o for then. When an application server is started,these executables all start at the same time.When an application server is stopped,they all shut down together.The number of processes that start up when u bring up the application server is defined in a single configuration fiel is called the application server profile. For Example: An application server profile specifies: * Number of processes and their types * Amount of memory each process may use * Length of time a user is inactive before being automatically logged off The presentation server is actually a program named sapgui.exe. It is usually installed on a user's workstation.
• 04 May 2013 9:03 am Guest that's right!

What is Presentation Server? Major advantages of Presentation Server Overview

SAP Presentation Server is an SAP GUI. It is of 3 types SAPGUI for windows, HTML and JAVA. It is used to establish connection with SAP Application Server based on the name of the application server, Instance Number, SID etc.

Major Advantages of SAP Presentation Server

1 . Single GUI to access all the SAP Applications (ERP, CRM, SCM, XI, BI and SRM)

2 . We can login with our logon language i.e. specify the language during logon. Same GUI is allowed to login with different languages

3 . GUI is user friendly to create favorites , startup transactions 9 – To create Favorites

Login – From Tools – Administration SU01 – From Menu Favorites > Add

– To setup startup transactions

From menu Extras – Set startup transaction

SAP R/3 Architecture

4 . GUI is downward compatible to support all the SAP Applications which are below the gui version.

Example : GUI 7.0 cannot support the component that are built on 7.10 but 7.0 can handle 7.00, 640, 620, 46D, 45A etc.

5 . User parameters are defined for the frequently keyed in content. Eg: A user belonging to the sales organization, division, plant, sales area should get all the values by default while creating sales order (VA01) etc.,

Also See:  What is User Administration in SAP Basis?

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What are application servers?

To provide software to a client in a network, an application server is a good choice for security and compatibility reasons. Disadvantages of an application server include additional costs and more serious consequences when bugs or other problems occur.

What is an application server used for?

Explicit features, implicit features, how does an application server work, what are the advantages of application servers, what are the disadvantages of application servers, what are examples of application servers.

In ever larger systems, you need solutions that can shoulder data volume while still maintaining the desired speed and serving access volume. In a client-server network, an application server can be one such solution. An application server usually hosts different application programs and makes them available to clients. To do this, it uses server-side business logic to generate dynamic content and serve it to a client. Typical examples of software found on an application server include office programs, address management, corporate calendars and database access. Sensitive processes such as transactions or authentications can also be carried out via an application server.

Find out more about the client-server model in our guide.

What are the features of application servers?

Application servers offer various features to simplify and improve processes. A distinction is made between explicit and implicit features. In addition, there are other features that are more or less pronounced depending on the type of application server. However, common features include:

• Encapsulation of data sources
• Interfaces to other higher value services
• Asynchronous communication
• Preservation of persistence
• Directory services
• Standards for the connection of databases

Using a system with an application server creates some implicit features that can provide benefits for all users. These include:

• Better scalability without additional modification of individual applications
• Logging functions
• Calibration options
• Runtime management
• Software lifecycle management through patching, upgrading, delivery and deployment

To better understand the general function of an application server, it’s important to first understand its place within a network. It ranks between individual clients and the database. It receives HTTP requests and responds to them, but it can also issue servlet requests and process the corresponding responses. This is one of the main differences between an application server and a web server . We elaborate on how the two models differ beyond that in our comparison of web servers and application servers . An application server works together with a web server in the following manner:

• A user wants to visit a website. They open a browser and navigate to the website.
• The HTTP request is sent to the web server that processes the request and returns the requested website to the client. This works as long as they’re static requests.
• If an interactive tool is used instead, the procedure is the same, but the web server won’t output the response directly. Instead, it’s forwarded to the application server.
• The application server receives the HTTP request and converts it into a servlet request.
• It’s forwarded to the database.
• The database server processes the request and sends a servlet response back to the application server.
• In the final step, the application server sends the servlet format to the web server. This converts the response to HTTP and makes it available to the client.

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of application servers?

If you’re thinking about using an application server, it’s worth taking a look at the advantages and disadvantages of such servers. The table below provides an overview:

An application server offers numerous advantages. They include:

Compatibility

By installing an application server in your network, you ensure all clients work with the same software version. As a result, all exchanged and stored data is compatible. If you do without an application server, problems may arise due to missed updates or outdated software.

The implementation of an application server can be advantageous for security reasons. For example, it prevents a direct connection between a website and its own database. Malware attacks such as SQL injection programs can often be prevented.

Performance

Application servers can improve overall performance. Performance improvements are particularly noticeable for large and/or frequently used software. Scaling options can help to improve performance as well as bundle and control access to the database.

Configuration

Centralization via an application server means configuration doesn’t have to be performed on each individual device. This simplifies configuration and saves time and resources.

Scalability

Due to numerous connection possibilities with the database, higher scalability is possible. This also ensures greater flexibility for users.

However, there are a few disadvantages when using an application server. The following are worth mentioning:

Additional costs

Installation and maintenance of an application server cost money and time. You should carefully consider whether the implementation is necessary. If this is the case, costs should be considered.

Possible delays

Delays may occur during the deployment of an application server. This is especially true if the installation is performed behind a firewall .

Demanding programming

Programming requirements are higher for an application server. A little experience and prior knowledge are therefore advantageous.

When several large applications are used simultaneously and multiple users access them, this can have a negative impact on speed and overall performance.

Impact of problems and bugs

While bundling is an advantage of using an application server, problems and bugs are much more pronounced as a result. Since numerous clients depend on a single source, problems with one piece of software affect several participants. Solutions for such problems are usually a bit more complicated.

You can choose from numerous different application servers. The best-known and most popular vendors and models include:

• Apache Geronimo: Suitable for Java EE
• Apache Tomcat: For Servlets and JavaServer Pages (JSP)
• ColdFusion: The oldest application server
• GlassFish: Open-source solution for Java EE
• Jetty: Servlet and JSP container
• Resin: For Java and PHP5
• WEBrick: Solution based on Ruby
• Zope: An application server based on Python

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Web Server vs. Application Server: Differences and Examples

March 28, 2024

by Sagar Joshi

In this post

How does a web server work, what are web servers used for, examples of web servers, how does an application server work, what are application servers used for, examples of application servers, web server vs. application server: key takeaways.

Servers handle the requests your browser makes while you’re online. Two types of servers technically handle these requests: the web server and the application server.

Web servers take care of requests for static content, like HTML pages, images, videos, or files. Application servers manage requests for dynamic content that changes based on your interactions with a web page. 

This article compares web servers and application servers to understand when to use one or the other.

Some companies that rely on web servers use web server acceleration tools to reduce response time, speeding up content delivery. This helps when there are numerous requests to respond to. Application servers generally take longer to respond since they deal with complex business logic. 

What is the difference between a web server and an application server?

When a browser requests a web server, it sends static data such as text, files, or pictures. On the other hand, an application server processes business logic to decide which data a web server should send back. 

A web server provides static content by sending hypertext markup language (HTML) pages, files, videos, and images to a web browser and responding using hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) . 

An application server facilitates interaction between the user and the server side’s application code while delivering web content. It also provides dynamic content , such as real-time analytics. 

However, distinguishing between the two has become tricky. Web servers nowadays use scripting languages like hypertext preprocessor (PHP) or active server page (ASP) to make content dynamic. While this is happening, application servers have started using HTTP to communicate and offer reverse proxy, load balancing , and various other services to improve performance and reliability. It helps developers focus more on app development than on infrastructure. 

Due to these overlaps, professionals refer to these both servers as web application servers. Many use the two terms interchangeably since they can easily perform both jobs. 

A web server manages all the bits and pieces of a website's code and data. Whenever you type a website's URL into your browser, you’re really looking for the web server where that website lives.

Here’s an overview of how your browser and web server talk. 

• Your browser finds the web server’s internet protocol (IP) address based on the URL you enter.
• Then, your browser asks the web server for the website’s information through an HTTP request. 
• The web server contacts a database server to get the data and fulfill the request.
• When the web server finds the data you want, it returns that data to your browser as an HTTP response.
• The browser takes this response and shows it to you on the screen. 

Websites with static content like articles or images work with web servers. However, modern web pages include several interactive elements, such as filling out a form. These interactions need an application server to work smoothly. We detail the way application servers operate in a few sections, but first, let’s discuss use cases for web servers.

Web servers extensively manage websites and data. They handle browser requests in order to send correct responses, ensure communication with legitimate users, and keep malicious hackers out of the picture. 

During heavy traffic inflow, web servers control the data that travels back and forth to prevent slowdowns or website crashes. This helps web servers manage more visitors easily. Some organizations use web server accelerator software to reduce response time, while they also employ compression techniques to improve connection speed. 

Top 5 web accelerator software platforms: 

• Varnish Software
• F5 NGINX Plus
• Amazon DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX)

* These are the top 5 web accelerator software based on G2 Score as of March 8, 2024.

With server-side web scripting, developers can make pages that adapt based on how users interact. Programming languages like PHP, Python , and Ruby make it possible, helping developers add more interaction and personalization. 

These servers often use virtual hosting to run multiple websites or applications. This makes for efficient resource usage and keeps costs down. 

Below are some common examples of web servers you might find engineers talking about.

Nginx serves web content and handles reverse proxying to direct web traffic to multiple sources. It employs load balancing for distributing traffic across multiple servers, making the server fast and efficient. 

The server can also handle email proxying and provide HTTP caching. Nginx uses HTTP caching to store standard responses to requests. When a similar request comes up, Nginx uses the old responses to reply. 

Several companies like Dropbox, Zynga, and Netflix use Nginx to manage heavy incoming traffic. 

Apache HTTP Server

Apache HTTP Server, usually called Apache, emerged in 1995 and became well-known for its reliability and flexibility. It powered the majority of the websites for a long time. Until the end of 2019, Apache ran over 24% of all websites and around 31% of the busiest sites. 

The server’s longevity and continuous use prove its robust features and capabilities can manage major traffic volume. 

Now that we’ve covered web servers let’s get into the nitty-gritty of application servers.

Application servers make web servers interact better with dynamic content. They use application logic and connect the web server with different sources. They also facilitate application code communication with other systems and databases to bring a better web experience to users.

Here’s what happens when you interact with dynamic content. 

• Your browser determines where the server is located on the internet using the URL's IP address.
• Your browser sends a request, known as an HTTP request, asking for interactive content.
• This request first goes to the web server. If the request is too complex, it goes to the application server. 
• The application server uses business logic and talks to other servers or third-party systems to collect response information.
• The application server creates a new HTML page and sends it back to the web server. 
• The web server sends the page back to the web browser. 
• Your browser gets the response and displays the interactive content you were seeking. 

For example, when you shop online, you’re interacting with the application server as you add items to your cart or update your delivery details. 

Application servers make it easier to communicate with databases and other systems. They fulfill complex requests from your browser, facilitating mobile or computer functionality. Application servers do the heavy lifting to get the content users want. 

Application servers store cache data so retrieving the same content in the future is hassle-free. to They also ensure the data flows smoothly, and the request and response channel is secure enough to keep information safe.

There are different types of application servers. Some major in handling several user requests simultaneously, while others focus on improving applications. Below are three common types of application servers you’ll probably come across.

• Active servers run scripts on the server side and communicate with databases to generate dynamic content. They’re good at managing data while providing you with real-time updates.
• Web information servers are application servers that specialize in finding the web content you need. They go through digital archives to find the pages you need. These servers focus on delivering pages that change based on your interactions. 
• Component servers host and manage small software pieces known as components. You can build various features with them while updating applications. This lets you improve existing applications more easily. 

Here are some common examples of application servers. They play a significant role in delivering dynamic content straight to Java applications. 

Apache Tomcat

Apache Tomcat caters to Java applications. It runs small Java programs on a server called Java Servlets to answer web requests and create web pages with JavaServer Page code (JSP) while supporting Java Enterprise Edition applications. 

After its release in 1998, Apache Tomcat became a preferred choice for Java web applications due to its holistic support for Java technologies and open-source nature. 

Glassfish came around in 2006 and supported Java applications, Servlets, and standards. Sun Microsystems added dual capabilities that meant that Glassfish could act like an application and web server to deliver static content while running complex Java applications. 

Developers loved this added flexibility for working in Java environments. 

Here are some key differences between web and application servers that you can take away. Let’s compare the two.

• Functionality and content type: Web servers handle HTTP requests to deliver static content to the client. On the contrary, application servers deliver dynamic content based on business logic. 
• Processing: Web servers don’t process any business logic. This allows them to respond faster compared to application servers. The latter may require more processing power and time since they manage complex user requests. 
• Middleware services: Middleware acts as a framework between applications' front-end and back-end. Application servers offer connection pooling, messaging services, transaction management, and other middleware services. Web servers don’t provide these. 
• Load balancing: This application serves as built-in support for load clustering and balancing. It can be easily scaled to manage loads efficiently. On the other hand, web servers require additional tools to balance load and failover . 

The verdict

The differences above make it clear that web servers and application servers have different purposes. Web servers are better when you want faster content delivery. However, application servers work better when you need to support complex application logic and deliver dynamic content. 

Learn more about application servers and how to choose the right one for your business.

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Sagar Joshi is a former content marketing specialist at G2 in India. He is an engineer with a keen interest in data analytics and cybersecurity. He writes about topics related to them. You can find him reading books, learning a new language, or playing pool in his free time.

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By strict definition, a web server is a common subset of an application server.

A web server delivers static web content—for example, HTML pages, files, images, video—primarily in response to hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) requests from a web browser.

An application server typically can deliver web content too, but its primary job is to enable interaction between user clients and server-side application code—the code representing what is often called  business logic —to generate and deliver dynamic content, such as transaction results, decision support or real-time analytics.

The client for an application server can be the application’s own user UI, a web browser or a mobile app and the client-server interaction can occur via any number of communication protocols. However, in practice the line between web servers and application servers has become fuzzier, particularly as the web browser has emerged as the application client of choice and as user expectations of web applications and web application performance have grown.

Most web servers support plug-ins for scripting languages (for example, ASP, JSP, PHP, Perl) that enable the web server to generate dynamic content based on server-side logic. An increasing number of application servers not only incorporate web server capabilities, but use HTTP as their primary protocol and support other protocols (for example, CGI and CGI variants) for interfacing with web servers.

They also allow web applications to use services like reverse proxy, clustering, redundancy and  load balancing —services that improve performance and reliability and allow developers to focus less on infrastructure and more on coding. To make matters more confusing, many web servers and some application servers are referred to or refer to themselves, as  web application servers.

The bottom line is that today’s most popular web servers and application servers are hybrids of both. Most of the increasingly rich applications you use today feature a combination of static web content and dynamic application content, delivered through a combination of web server and application server technologies.

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The market is flooded with web servers and application servers—too many to list here. Instead, we thought it might be more valuable to list the most popular free, open source options available:

Nginx  (link resides outside ibm.com) is an open source web server that includes reverse proxy, load balancing, mail proxy and HTTP cache capabilities. Commercial, supported versions of Nginx are also available, at  Nginx, Inc. (link resides outside ibm.com). 

According to the internet research and cybercrime prevention company  Netcraft (link resides outside ibm.com), Nginx served or proxied nearly 38% of all the world’s websites and over 25% of the million busiest sites as of December 2019. World-known enterprise Nginx users include Dropbox, Netflix and Zynga.

Apache HTTP Server  

First released in 1995, Apache HTTP Server (also known as ‘Apache’) is another popular free, open source web server that, until recently, powered more websites than any other web server—71% at its peak—before being overtaken by Nginx in April 2019. As of December 2019, Apache served over 24% of all sites worldwide and 31% of the million busiest sites.

Apache Tomcat  

Apache Tomcat (link resides outside ibm.com) is an open source application server that runs Java Servlets, renders and delivers web pages that include JavaServer Page code, and serves Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE) applications. Released in 1998, Tomcat is the most widely used open source  Java  application server.

Glassfish  

Glassfish (link resides outside ibm.com) is an open source Java EE application server launched by Sun Microsystems in 2006, and it is hosted today by the  Eclipse Foundation (link resides outside ibm.com). Like most Java application servers, Glassfish supports Java Servlets, Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) and more, but it can also function as a web server, serving up web content in response to HTTP requests.

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Web and application servers are often confused, partly because they work together, and partly because some vendors have consolidated web and application servers into dual-use machines. Similarly, the use of terms like “web application server” gives the impression they’re dual units when the reality is that they often are distinct, separate nodes.

The critical difference between web servers and app servers is how each delivers web and application content. Since the early days of the internet, web servers have been the mediums for serving web client requests. Web servers receive a client request and retrieve content from the pertinent database to provide to the client. By contrast, application servers also facilitate web content to clients but are capable of processing dynamic requests.

As the world wide web developed, scripting for web pages shifted from HTML to JavaScript , and web content became more interactive. The introduction of dynamic scripting languages pushed web development forward and produced the universe of software, tools, and apps available today.

This shift pushed the boundaries of a web server’s capabilities and led to the adoption in server management of another highly specialized computer known as an application server. This article looks at the role web servers and app servers play and how they differ.

What is a web server?

Web servers are computer systems responsible for:

• And delivering web content to clients (users/browsers)

To retrieve web resources, users employ web browsers to request web content from a web server. Whether it’s a virtual or physical appliance, web servers receive HTTP requests from web browsers, translate the request to the web page’s underlying database, and respond with the requested resource. That is…if the resource is static content, like a PDF or news article.

HTML: Static Content

The HyperText Markup Language (HTML) has been a dominant programming language for producing web page content since the early 1990s. Stored in a web organization’s database, static web pages in the form of HTML code display on a client’s web browser.

Users recognize HTML content as fonts, documents, images, and videos. The content on these web pages is static because the web server retrieves the same instance for all clients requesting that particular web page. This easy servicing of static data frees the web server to serve multiple web pages and sites.

Also Read: Top Rack Servers of 2021

Web Servers Are Limited

Sadly, web servers’ role in the service-oriented architecture (SOA) isn’t a jack of all trades for managing the advanced web content requests of the 2020s, which brings us to a web server’s best friend, the application server.

What is an application server?

Like a web server, an application server is a computer capable of processing HTTP requests, serving web-based apps, and using web containers for fulfilling client requests. However, where application servers go farther is their access to application databases and transferring dynamic content. With the capacity to process business logic requests, take on heavier workloads than a web server, and support multi-threading, application servers are the workhorses powering the current economy of apps.

Also Read: Virtualization vs. Containerization

Dynamic content requires more server specialization

Any web page that offers interactive or live tools where a client doesn’t need to launch another page is likely thanks to dynamic scripting and the work of an application server. Dynamic web pages often include real-time analytics, financial transactions, and security software.

As an example, Google is the most visited website in the world with a plethora of tools for web clients. One such program is the calculator built-in to the Google search engine. When a client makes a search that is a mathematical equation, Google recognizes the request and displays a calculator on the search results web page. 

If the client continued to use the calculator, they’d notice the URL doesn’t change through all the calculations. Thanks to dynamic scripting embedded in the page, the calculator is reactive to client inputs and capable of processing requests separate from the web server activity.

How do web and application servers work together?

The graphic below displays three communicating parties: a client, an application server, and a database server. When users jump on their web browsers like Google Chrome or Firefox, the browser acts as the client requesting a particular resource.

The web server sits between the client and the application server in the instance below, serving HTTP requests where the web server can facilitate static content. When the web server receives a request beyond its ability, the application server completes the exchange.

The Differences Between Web Server vs. App Server

• Hosts web pages and responds to requests
• Delivers static content
• Uses HTTP protocol only
• Serves only web-based apps
• No support for multi-threading
• Accesses static database
• Facilitates lightweight web traffic
• Low storage capacity
• Employs web containers
• Fit for web browsers
• Provides hypertext on a browser

Application Server

• Hosts apps and advanced data resources
• Delivers dynamic content
• Uses HTTP and business logic for apps
• Serves web and enterprise-based apps
• Supports multi-threading in parallel
• Accesses application database
• Facilitates heavier data workloads
• High storage capacity
• Employs web and app client containers
• Fit for browsers and web and mobile apps
• Provides multitude of data resources

Also Read: Best Cloud-Based Services for 2021

Hybrid web and app servers

Several web and application servers today contain features traditionally held by the two different servers. For example, plug-ins for scripting languages like JSP, ASP.NET, and PHP enable web servers to produce dynamic web page content.

Alternatively, application servers are capable of a web server’s duties and more, partly because app servers developed after web servers. Application servers don’t come without their vulnerabilities , though. Relative to static content, dynamic websites are more at risk of web-based attacks and often more challenging to secure. Dynamic content also requires more cloud storage and is reliant on more systems.

While hybrid web and application servers might be an attractive option for organizations trying to feed two birds with one scone, incorporating app servers into web servers means your newfangled application server will produce heavier workloads than before.

Also Read: Server Room Power Consumption: The Battle Between Demand and Efficiency

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Application server:   It encompasses Web container as well as EJB container. Application servers organize the run atmosphere for enterprises applications. Application server may be a reasonably server that mean how to put operating system, hosting the applications and services for users, IT services and organizations. In this, user interface similarly as protocol and RPC/RMI protocols are used. 

Examples of Application Server:

Difference between web server and application server:

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• Nov 17, 2020

Web Server vs. Application Server: What Are the Differences?

Updated: Dec 5, 2020

Both web and application servers respond to user requests for content. Yet, there are several key differences between the two server types, and knowing these distinctions can help you configure the right software and hardware infrastructure for your needs.

Here is an overview of the main distinctions between app and web servers:

What Is a Web Server?

A web server is a computer system that stores, processes, and delivers web pages to clients. The client is almost always a web browser or a mobile application. Depending on the setup, a web server can store one or more websites.

This type of server only delivers static HTML content, such as:

Web servers and application servers have one thing in common - they need a dedicated server to run the software.

Traditionally, web servers do not deal with dynamic content or server-side programming. Web servers accept and fulfill Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP or HTTPS) requests only. Optionally, you can add components for dealing with dynamic content.

What Is an Application Server?

An application server is a software framework that delivers content and assets for a client application. Clients include web-based applications, browsers, and mobile apps.

Application servers provide clients with access to business logic. Through business logic, an app server transforms data into dynamic content and enables the functionality of the application. Examples of dynamic content are:

A transaction result

Decision support

Real-time analytics

This server type is the main link between a client and server-side code. Typical tasks of an application server include:

Transaction management

Dependency injection (DI)

Concurrency

Application servers also handle processes such as clustering, fail-over, and load-balancing.

Most Popular Web Servers

Here is an overview of the most popular web servers:

Apache HTTP Server

Microsoft IIS

Most Popular Application Servers

Here are the most wide-spread application servers on the market:

Apache Tomcat

Oracle WebLogic

App Server vs. Web Server: Which One is the Right Server for Your Business?

Now that you understand the difference between web and application servers, it becomes easier to see which one is the better fit:

Use a web server if you are serving static web pages only.

Use a simpler application server like Jetty or Apache Tomcat if you have an application that requires JSP and Servlet .

Use a full-blown application server like JBoss or Oracle WebLogic if you have an application with complex features like distributed transactions and messaging.

Another option is to use plugins to add functionalities to a web server. In that case, a web server can delegate dynamic response generation to a server-side technology option, such as CGI scripts, JSPs, Servlets, ASPs (Active Server Pages), or server-side JavaScript.

Video - Web Server and Application Server | Explained

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What Is an Application Server vs. a Web Server?

Despite the contrast implied by “application server vs. web server,” on the Internet the two types of server are usually deployed together for a common purpose: fulfilling user requests for content from a website. There are no standards documents that define the properties of web servers and application servers, but let’s look at how the terms are commonly understood.

A  web server ‘s fundamental job is to accept and fulfill requests from clients for static content from a website (HTML pages, files, images, video, and so on). The client is almost always a browser or mobile application and the request takes the form of a Hypertext Transfer Protocol ( HTTP ) message, as does the web server’s response.

An application server’s fundamental job is to provide its clients with access to what is commonly called  business logic , which generates dynamic content; that is, it’s code that transforms data to provide the specialized functionality offered by a business, service, or application. An application server’s clients are often applications themselves, and can include web servers and other application servers. Communication between the application server and its clients might take the form of HTTP messages, but that is not required as it is for communication between web servers and their clients. Many other protocols are popular, including the variants of CGI.

How Do Application Servers and Web Servers Work Together?

In a typical deployment, a website that provides both static and dynamically generated content runs web servers for the static content and application servers to generate content dynamically. A  reverse proxy  and  load balancer  sit in front of one or more web servers and one or more web application servers to route traffic to the appropriate server, first based on the type of content requested and then based on the configured load-balancing algorithm. Most load balancer programs are also reverse proxy servers, which simplifies web application server architecture.

Why the Question?

Why is it a question whether something is an application server vs. a web server? It’s largely due to how the design and use of the two types of servers has increasingly come to overlap as the demands on websites have grown. Many popular applications act as both web servers and application servers (think Apache HTTP Server, Express, Hapi, and Koa).

Another overlap is that some web application servers use HTTP as their communication protocol. Similarly, some web servers end up looking like application servers because they have built-in modules and functionality that natively support popular languages like PHP, or proxy and translate requests from HTTP into the protocol (such as FastCGI) used by the application.

NGINX Plus  and  NGINX  are the best-in-class load‑balancing solutions used by high‑traffic websites such as Dropbox, Netflix, and Zynga. More than  350 million websites  worldwide rely on NGINX Plus and NGINX Open Source to deliver their content quickly, reliably, and securely.

NGINX Plus is an extremely efficient reverse proxy and load balancer when deployed in front of web and application servers, with translation modules for several types of application server including FastCGI and SCGI. NGINX Plus combines multiple functions – including  web serving ,  advanced load balancing ,  caching ,  management and monitoring , and request routing – all in one flexible, cost-effective solution for delivering static and dynamic content in a fast and reliable manner that boosts customer satisfaction and revenue. It’s the complete application delivery platform essential for today’s high-performance web sites.