Server applications (back-end applications, micro-service, client-server apps) are a software that enables server-side operations in client-server connections. How exactly does it work? The server application waits for tasks from the user (client). Based on these tasks, it then sends the appropriate query to the database, and then returns the results for the user. The server application can be written for a specific platform and also for different platforms depending on the programming language used.
Our back-end applications run on a server that waits for requests, retrieves information from the database and sends a response to the user. Also, an back-end app can be much like a server for mobile apps: it stores and sorts the important information that the end user doesn’t see. Main advantage? Micro-services enable the processing and storage of data necessary for later sharing with many users.
What is the difference between a server application and a web application? The server app works as a user interface and works with a specific server. More specifically, the data resources are already present as a software package on the client (user) computer. Interaction with the server serves only to download data.
On the other hand, the web app is hosted in a browser-controlled environment. In the web application, the user interaction takes place via a compatible web browser, while in the server application the user interaction with the server occurs mainly through the user interface.
Many well-known websites operate according to the client-server scheme (Facebook, Netflix, Google, Amazon). We can write a server application for database management, as well as software such as an e-mail server, messenger or web server.
Server apps can be created in the micro-service architecture. This makes them easier to maintain. In this variant, server apps are also easier to update, because the microservice code is much shorter than the “standard” server software.
All information is stored on the server, so you can better protect your important data. The server can decide on access: who has the right to read and change data.
There are many developed technologies supporting the operation, security and usability of this type of solution: Node.js, Express / Hapi, TypeScript, SQL / NoSQL.
When writing a server application, we take into account all the relevant aspects of the operation, such as: language and frameworks, local development environments, web servers, collaboration services database management systems, microservice platforms and website performance testers. In addition, we program in languages with a large community that quickly solves problems. We use mainly JavaScript (Node.js), which simplifies scaling and reduces the probability of errors.