client-server

client-server
    adj 1: relating to a computer system in which a central server
           supports a number of networked workstations
    

client-server
client/server
client-server model

   <programming> A common form of {distributed system} in which
   software is split between {server} tasks and {client} tasks.
   A client sends requests to a server, according to some
   {protocol}, asking for information or action, and the server
   responds.

   This is analogous to a customer (client) who sends an order
   (request) on an order form to a supplier (server) who
   despatches the goods and an invoice (response).  The order
   form and invoice are part of the "protocol" used to
   communicate in this case.

   There may be either one centralised server or several
   distributed ones.  This model allows clients and servers to be
   placed independently on {nodes} in a {network}, possibly on
   different {hardware} and {operating systems} appropriate to
   their function, e.g. fast server/cheap client.

   Examples are the name-server/name-resolver relationship in
   {DNS}, the file-server/file-client relationship in {NFS} and
   the screen server/client application split in the {X Window
   System}.

   Usenet newsgroup: news:comp.client-server.

   ["The Essential Client/Server Survival Guide", 2nd edition,
   1996].

   (1998-01-25)