What is Application Server with Example

Definition of application server

An application server is a software framework that provides the environment and services necessary to develop, deploy, and manage business applications. It typically includes features for handling application logic, database connectivity, messaging, and security. Application servers support the execution of server-side applications, facilitating communication between client applications and databases or other resources. They are commonly used in enterprise environments to ensure scalability, reliability, and efficient management of applications.

How application server works

An application server functions as an intermediary between users and the applications they interact with. When a user requests some information or a service through a web or mobile app, that request is sent to the application server. The server then processes this request by executing the necessary business logic, which includes retrieving or updating data, performing calculations, or interacting with other systems.

Once the application server processes the request, it often needs to access a database or other back-end resources to gather the required information. It communicates with these resources, retrieves the necessary data, and then applies any additional business rules or logic to prepare a response. This step ensures that the data is accurate and presented in a useful format for the user.

After processing and gathering all the needed information, the application server compiles the results and sends them back to the user’s application. This response might be in the form of a web page, an updated view on a mobile app, or any other relevant output. The server’s role here is to ensure that the information is correctly formatted and delivered efficiently.

Throughout this process, the application server also manages various concerns such as security, user authentication, and performance optimization. It ensures that only authorized users can access certain data, handles multiple requests simultaneously, and scales as needed to accommodate more users or increased load. This comprehensive management helps maintain a smooth and reliable experience for users interacting with the application.

Types of application server

Apache Tomcat

Apache Tomcat is a widely-used open-source Java application server that implements core Java EE specifications such as Servlets and JavaServer Pages (JSP). It is known for its lightweight nature and ease of use, making it a popular choice for running Java-based web applications. Tomcat supports a range of Java-based technologies and is favored for its performance and scalability in web environments.

JBoss (WildFly)

JBoss, now rebranded as WildFly, is an open-source Java application server that supports full Java EE capabilities. It is renowned for its flexibility and modular architecture, which allows developers to tailor the server to their needs. WildFly provides robust features for enterprise applications, including advanced management tools and support for clustering and high availability.

Oracle WebLogic

Oracle WebLogic is a commercial Java application server known for its enterprise-grade performance and scalability. It supports Java EE standards and provides a suite of features for managing complex applications. WebLogic is often used in large organizations for mission-critical applications due to its reliability and extensive support for integration with other Oracle products.

IBM WebSphere

IBM WebSphere is another commercial Java application server that offers comprehensive support for Java EE standards. It is designed for high performance and scalability, catering to large enterprises with complex application requirements. WebSphere provides robust tools for application development, deployment, and management, making it suitable for mission-critical applications.

Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS)

Microsoft IIS is a web server that also functions as an application server for .NET applications. It supports technologies such as ASP.NET, providing a platform for developing and hosting web applications and services. IIS is known for its integration with the Windows Server environment and its ease of management through the Microsoft ecosystem.

Microsoft Azure App Services

Microsoft Azure App Services is a cloud-based platform for hosting web applications, APIs, and mobile backends. It supports multiple programming languages, including .NET, Java, Python, and PHP. Azure App Services provides scalability, high availability, and integration with other Azure cloud services, making it a flexible option for modern applications.

Node.js

Node.js is a server-side runtime environment for JavaScript, built on Chrome’s V8 engine. It is designed for building scalable and high-performance applications using an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model. Node.js is commonly used with frameworks like Express.js to create web servers and handle asynchronous operations efficiently.

Gunicorn

Gunicorn (Green Unicorn) is a Python WSGI HTTP server for running Python web applications. It is known for its simplicity and ease of use, often employed with web frameworks like Django or Flask. Gunicorn provides concurrency and load balancing features, making it suitable for production environments where performance is critical.

Puma

Puma is a Ruby application server that serves Ruby on Rails applications and other Ruby web applications. It is designed to handle multiple concurrent requests efficiently, utilizing a multi-threaded and multi-process model. Puma is favored for its performance and ability to handle high levels of traffic, making it a popular choice for Ruby developers.

uWSGI

uWSGI is a versatile application server that supports multiple programming languages, including Python, Ruby, and others. It is often used in conjunction with web frameworks to serve applications and manage processes. uWSGI provides a range of features for performance optimization, scalability, and configuration, making it a flexible solution for various application needs.

Benefits of application server

• Centralized management
• Scalability and performance
• Enhanced security
• Integration capabilities
• Support for transaction management
• Load balancing
• High availability and fault tolerance
• Streamlined development and deployment
• Resource pooling and optimization
• Flexibility and customization

Examples of application server

• Apache Tomcat
• JBoss (WildFly)
• Oracle WebLogic
• IBM WebSphere
• Microsoft IIS
• Microsoft Azure App Services
• Node.js
• Gunicorn
• Puma
• uWSGI