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Short note: Server side programming

Short answer

Server-side programming runs scripts on the web server to create dynamic content in response to requests. The browser receives only generated HTML, while the server handles logic, database access, and sessions, hiding source code but using server resources per request.

Write a short note on server side programming.

Server-side programming is the writing of programs that run on a web server and create web content dynamically in response to client requests. The browser never sees the program, only the generated output (usually HTML, JSON or XML).

How it works

  1. The browser sends an HTTP request (GET or POST).
  2. The web server passes the request to a server-side program/interpreter (PHP, JSP, ASP.NET, Node.js, Python).
  3. The program reads input, applies logic, may query a database, and builds the response.
  4. The server returns the response to the browser.
Browser -> Web server -> Script -> Database
Browser <- HTML <------- Script <-----+

Uses

User authentication and sessions, processing forms, database-driven pages, shopping carts, file upload, sending email.

Advantages

  • Hides source code and business logic; more secure.
  • Can access databases and server files.
  • Works on any browser, since only HTML is sent.
  • Central updates and easy maintenance.

Disadvantages

Each request needs a round trip and uses server resources, so heavy load needs scalable design. Examples: PHP, Java Servlets/JSP, ASP.NET, Python Django, Node.js.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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