How do users interact with networked services? What handles the user interface and initiates requests to servers?
A client is a computer or software that requests services from a server. In the client-server model, the client is typically the front end, handling user interaction and presentation.
- User Interface: Displays information and captures user input
- Request Initiation: Sends requests to servers for data or services
- Response Processing: Receives and processes server responses
- Local Processing: May perform some computation locally
- State Management: May maintain some client-side state
Clients can be web browsers, mobile apps, desktop applications, or any software that consumes server services.
- Initiates requests to servers
- Typically handles presentation and user interaction
- Can be lightweight (thin client) or feature-rich (thick/rich client)
- Runs on user devices, often less powerful than servers
- May cache data for offline or performance reasons
Builds into:
- Front End — Client typically runs front end components
Related:
- Client-Server Model — Client is one side of the model
- Back End — Server counterpart to client
- Cannot securely store secrets (tokens, keys)
- Limited by device capabilities
- Network dependency affects functionality