Difference Between Client Server Application and Web Application (with Table)

Applications are usually used by clients to perform tasks via the server or medium. Two such applications are client server application and web application. The client server application is an application that works from the clients’ part to access the remote server for its necessary tasks and requirements. The web application is software that runs on the web server to perform tasks by the client.

Client Server Application vs Web Application

The main difference between client server application and web application is that the client server application has two tier architecture whereas the web application has multi tire architecture. In the client server application, the security is more and fewer security breaches are expected to happen as there are fewer users however, in the case of web application it s not that secure as it has too many users and it is often difficult to keep a track of.

The client server application is an application that requires to be preinstalled on the clients’ desktop or laptop. The server in the client server application is mainly via an interface or application. It provides the required task that has been assigned by the user through the nearest server.

A web application is an application that is capable of working directly from a suitable web browser. The web application can run on several platforms at the same time and perform the entire task assigned by the client in a systematic format.

Comparison Table Between Client Server Application and Web Application

Parameter of Comparison

Client Server Application

Web Application

Architecture

It is made up of two tire architecture

It is made up of multi tire architecture

Interaction

Interaction takes place via a user interface or application

Interaction takes place via a web browser

Operation

It requires pre-installation in the device

It can run directly on suitable web browse

Efficiency

May get overloaded by tasks decreasing the performance efficiency

Capable of working over multiple platforms in the same time with quick performance

Cookies

Cookies are not required

Cookies are needed

security

Less risk as there are fewer users

High risk comparatively as more number of users

What is Client Server Application?

The client server application is a form of computing. The client server application is software available on the clients’ computer that generates requests to a remote server. Client server application divides tasks and workload between servers and clients, which are either found in the same system or they communicate through a computer network over the internet. The client is dependent on sending a request to other programs, for accessing a service made by the server.

The clients from their respective devices request a file or an application from the remote server, the server then further hears the request made by the client and verifies the credentials, if everything is accepted then the request requested file or application is served to the client. The communication between the client and the user is two-way communication. The server can connect with the client to ensure that the client has the necessary update or when the client required anything. Once the server has done its job it loses the connection with the client to save the bond with the space on the network.

The client-server communications are usually permitted by the TCP/IP protocol. The requests made by the client are organized and prioritized in a scheduling format, which in turn helps in coping with receiving requests. Popular client server applications are email, the worldwide web, and network printing. In client server application data can be accessed efficiently even with the client server not being within proximity.

What is Web Application?

The web application is also known as a web app. It is an application software that runs on a web server. The web application is accessed by the client via a web browser with an active internet connection to perform tasks. The web application allows businesses a cost-effective way of communication to exchange information. It makes transactions fast, safe, and secure.

The web application needs a web server to handle the requests made by the client. It often saves the required information requested by the client to perform the task efficiently. The user requests for a particular data or information to the web server over the internet, the web server then further forwards the request to the required web application server.

The web application then performs the requested tasks and generates the result of the requested task and serves the task results to the web server. The web server then communicates back with the client and displays the information.

The web application includes a variety of things such as online forms, shopping carts, file scanning, file conversion, etc. web application can run on several platforms until the browser is suitable. All the clients have a similar version. The communication in a web application is accessible from anywhere.

Main Differences Between Client Server Application and Web Application

  1. The client server application has a two-tire architecture whereas the web application is made up of a multi tire application.
  2. The interaction between the client and server takes place via user interface or application whereas for web application it happens via a web browser.
  3. Client server application requires to be pre-installed in the client’s device here as for web application it can run directly over a stable web browser.
  4. Client server application does not require cookies to perform however, for web application it requires cookies to perform.
  5. The client server application is a secure place s there isfewer users hence lesser risk. For web application the risk is considerably more as there are more users.

Conclusion

Client server application and web applications are two applications that connect the client and server to perform tasks by the client. These two applications are very different from each other and can be broadly classified.

The client server application is two tire architecture that connects the client and the server via a user interface. It has to be installed in the client’s device from beforehand for it to perform. The web application is a multi-user application that connects the user and the server via the web application. For this, it can perform over any stable web browser.

References

  1. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/1578936/
  2. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/6024628/
  3. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/1578936/