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Definition: application server


In a non-Web environment, an application server performs the business logic (the data processing), although some amount of business logic may be handled by the user's machine.

In a private or public Web environment (intranet or Internet), application servers perform myriad database and data processing operations. There is no limit to the back-end functions an application server can be programmed to do. See file server.

In large sites, multiple application servers and Web servers (HTTP servers) are used. Examples of Web application servers include BEA WebLogic Server and IBM's WebSphere Application Server. See Web server.




Three-Tier Non-Web Environment
An application server in a three-tier client/server environment provides middle tier processing between the user's machine and the database management system (DBMS).






Application Servers & Web Servers
Both types of servers perform similar tasks and often reside in the same computer. The Web server can query databases and do business processing, while application servers often come with their own Web server to send Web pages to the browser.





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