diff between webserver and app server

[mgl70]

Hi,

What is the difference between webserver and application server. I feel both act like webserver.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Diancecht]

Well, the main difference to my understanding is the web server deals with static content, ie, html, gif and so on while application server deals with dynamic, compiled, runtime or whatever you want to name it, ie, jsp, asp.

Cheers,
Dian

 

[timw]

This is the problem with sticking generalised labels on things. With modern web servers and app servers, the boundaries are not always easy to place and there is a lot of overlap.

Generally, app Servers can ship with web/servlet containers, and web servers integrate with app servers.

Wish I had more time to go into it more deeply. Sorry.

Tim
---------------------------
"Your morbid fear of losing,
destroys the lives you're using." - Ozzy

 

[Diancecht]

Go for a google on "web server vs application server"

Think for example on Apache vs Tomcat

Cheers,
Dian

 

[timw]

Maybe it would be informative if you also give us some examples of products you're getting confused over. Tomcat is a case in point, since it can host applications and acts as its own web server.

Tim
---------------------------
"Your morbid fear of losing,
destroys the lives you're using." - Ozzy

 

[mgl70]

Thanks for your inputs. I understand little bit. I will go and search for the indepth.

Thank you guys.

 

[sedj]

IMO :

A web server is any application that speaks the HTTP protocol.

An web server is an application server by default - if the applications are HTTP orientated.

--------------------------------------------------
Free Java/J2EE Database Connection Pooling Software

http://www.primrose.org.uk

 

[timw]

An web server is an application server by default - if the applications are HTTP orientated

... as long as it's not simply serving static html pages, maybe?

Tim
---------------------------
"Your morbid fear of losing,
destroys the lives you're using." - Ozzy

 

[sedj]

maybe ...

--------------------------------------------------
Free Java/J2EE Database Connection Pooling Software

http://www.primrose.org.uk

 

[timw]

Maybe (lol) it's worth writing a FAQ for the whole Web Server vs App Server vs EJB Container vs J2EE thing. It seems to confuse a lot of folks?

Tim
---------------------------
"Your morbid fear of losing,
destroys the lives you're using." - Ozzy

 

[sedj]

Yes, I seem to remember being here before a while ago - as I remember the thread was quite good - may we (read you) should dig it out a faq'erize it

--------------------------------------------------
Free Java/J2EE Database Connection Pooling Software

http://www.primrose.org.uk

 

[timw]

If I do, I'll run it past you first. You have a knack of cutting to the heart of the matter very succinctly. You'd do a good job of editing my waffle

Tim
---------------------------
"Your morbid fear of losing,
destroys the lives you're using." - Ozzy