| Things which exist on one's personal computer are | | | | wanting better features can purchase modules from |
| referred to as "client side", and on the web host as | | | | third parties to upload and install, such as shopping |
| "server side". The average internet user might have | | | | carts, which are backed by support staff, user, or |
| first heard "client" in the context of applications | | | | similar. |
| installed on the personal computer, such as "email | | | | If the site builder lacks a very fast connection to the |
| client". Those mail systems which can be used from | | | | server, s/he can install client side copies of operating |
| anywhere are "web mail", and exist on the server | | | | systems for SQL, PHP, other... to emulate behavior |
| side. | | | | on the host. Sometimes the emulation is less than |
| In practical terms, all your office suite programs, | | | | perfect, such as with different release generations, |
| media players, programs to edit images, most games, | | | | so adjustments may be needed after upload. |
| and so forth, are probably client side, although "utility" | | | | Why would anyone bother to do this? One reason is |
| type functions are evolving on the server side. For | | | | that PHP can take over parts of HTML coding, such |
| example, users can now share data on server side | | | | as with "include files" which represent often used |
| spreadsheets and word processors. | | | | sections of header, footer, body, or serve more |
| Most browser function is defined on the client side, | | | | robustly than JavaScript for interactivity and utility |
| perhaps with some JavaScript add-ons for interaction, | | | | functions. |
| calendars, multi-level menus, animated graphics, et | | | | If the connection is fast, however, present day |
| cetera. | | | | "shared hosting" and "virtual private/dedicated |
| Business enterprise level content management, | | | | servers" make it very difficult for one domain owner |
| databases, store systems, and much more are on | | | | to break the system for other users. And only |
| the server side. Server side programming can range | | | | privileged employees have access to the power |
| from simple CGI scripts ("Common Gateway | | | | switch. VPS allows power users to get more behind |
| Interface") written in a variety of languages, such as | | | | the scenes than can the SH customer. |
| Perl. Large databases can be built in the popular | | | | Caveat: Whether your HTML writing is done directly |
| open-source MySQL, and accessed through | | | | on host account or on personal computer for upload, |
| interfaces programmed in PHP. | | | | keep an off-site copy against the day your hosting |
| First embodiments of such CGI functions started a | | | | company drops or back levels your content. It will |
| new copy of the executing module for each | | | | happen. |
| command request. To avoid server shutdown from | | | | What ever the approach a person uses for working |
| excessive workload, host programmers have evolved | | | | on the internet, all these elements are examples of |
| better ways, but these need not concern us ordinary | | | | "distributed processing", a concept which some large |
| mortals. | | | | mainframe computer manufacturers had hoped would |
| Fortunately for this author, a web site builder does | | | | never be realized. Now that the small guys and gals |
| not need to be an expert in all those server side | | | | have forced the issue, by using ever more powerful |
| tools in order to use them. Most hosting companies | | | | personal computers in place of dumb terminals, the |
| now offer access to pre-installed modules. Persons | | | | big dogs have learned to love and profit from it. |