Web Servers Explained: From Requests to Responses
Web Servers Explained: From Requests to Responses A web server is a program that waits for requests from browsers and other clients, then sends back pages, images, or data. It runs on a computer connected to the internet and works with other software to deliver content quickly and safely. Even small sites rely on a web server to reply to visitors. The core pieces are simple: a transport layer (TCP), a security layer (TLS for HTTPS), and the application layer (HTTP). The server software, such as NGINX or Apache, listens on a port, usually 80 for HTTP or 443 for HTTPS, and uses rules to decide how to handle each request. ...