Thread: The concept of Server and Client

I hope someone can answer this question for me.

What is the difference between a server and a client? Let's say I want to create a java app that works as a service on and user's system. A service without any user interface. On the other hand I have a web portal that calls this service.

Which should be the server and which should be the client. Or it does not matter?

What the java app and web portal suppose to do. Data sync via XML between a portal USB device and the web portal.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by helloworld922

A server is a computer that has information/data on it. A client is a computer that passes certain parameters to the server so it can get the correct data back.

In this case information is two ways. But it will always start will pulling the data from the device updates the web portal and then writes it back to device. So which is the server and which is the client. If the desktop app is a server that acts as a service will there will any security implications and note I am passing data via XML.

I have decided to go with the new adobe air 2. It provides everything I need.

1. detect USB devices
2. creating a socket server, allowing inter-application communication