This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Vincent Tommi
Ever wonder how websites or apps like YouTube or Instagram work? They use something called client-server architecture, a simple but super important idea that powers most web applications. Let’s break it down in an easy way!
What’s Going On?
Imagine you’re at a restaurant:
You (the customer) are like the client. This could be your web browser (like Chrome or Firefox), a mobile app, or anything you use to interact with a website or app.
The kitchen is like the server, a computer that’s always running, waiting for your orders (requests).
Here’s how it works:
You (the client) send an order to the kitchen, like asking for a pizza (this is a request to do something, like show a webpage or save your profile info).
The kitchen (the server) gets your order, makes the pizza (processes the request), and sends it back to you (the response).
That’s it! This back-and-forth is how most apps and websites work.
Here’s a diagram to show how a client and server talk to each other:
Conclusion
The client-server architecture is like the heartbeat of the internet. By understanding this simple idea—clients asking for things and servers delivering them—you’ve taken a big step toward grasping how modern apps and websites function. Keep exploring, and you’ll see this concept pop up everywhere in system design!
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Vincent Tommi