Web Browser vs. Web Server

Main Difference

In the world of web, there are hundreds of different terminologies, these are not always understandable to an average person. There are many terms we frequently use but don’t actually know the meaning of them, two similar ones are called Web Browser and Web Server. They will be explained in detail, and their differences mentioned here for better understanding. A web browser is a computer software which helps in searching information, finding its exact location and then displaying it to the user. This can be pages, pictures, videos, files and text. It consists of a web address also known as URL. On the other hand web, the server is a system that creates and provides the web pages for people to search. They have an internet protocol address or a name which on the prompt of the user helps in pointing the right location of information. The main difference, therefore, between these two is that web server consists of all the data while web browser helps in the displaying of that data. The web browser is a program that helps in showing stuff on the internet and web server helps in delivering that material from the websites to the web browser. It can consist of a computer or several of them and can also include a software program itself where data can be updated and added and passes it to the web browsers through the Internet. Both are linked to each other in a way that a web server is required to keep the material while a web browser is needed to access that data with the help of locations and pointers. It can be said that a web browser itself is of no use if there is no web server but on the other hand web server itself will not be helpful for people to see what they are looking for in a convenient way. In simple words, with the help of coding web server helps the website to work and contain all the information while web server contributes to display that data from the internet site to the viewer. If a server is down, there will be no website at all while if the web browser is not working it does not mean the site has stopped.

Difference Between Web Browser and Web Server

Comparison Chart

Definition of Web Browser

A web browser is best defined as software with the help of which people can get the information they are looking for on the internet. This information can be in different forms such as images, pages, videos and other files. The earliest browsers were text only and could not display any other material including pictures but they have evolved and now can show various sorts of information. It shows data which is sent through the internet in the form of a website also called URL which when entered sends the information and search request to the web server where the desired data is sent back and displayed on the computer screens. The information is located with the help of data source identifier and uses plugins to display particular types of material. Web browsers of today can show even different applications, Java scripts, and files with various extensions while browsers for cell phones and other platforms are also available.

Definition of Web Server

A web server is defined as a computer unit or software which creates and keeps all the information in a place which can be accessed with the help of web browsers. In simple words, it is a place where all the data of a website can be saved. Every web server has an IP address and even a proper name. When a search address is entered through the web browser, it is converted into an internet protocol where the server is located. It sends a request to the server which gets the required page and sends it to the browser. It is not a super machine, any device can be converted in a server with the help of specific software and the availability of internet. They can contain large files among themselves and can create several web pages which are then distributed over the web for viewing. A website cannot be displayed without a working server, whenever the server is not up, the site will stop working.

Conclusion

We all use internet and have been doing so for a long time but never give any heed to the fact that the things we use can have different names from what we are calling them. Web browser and webserver are two such terms which mean very different from each other and that is what this article has explained to the readers.