"I am Saqib Jahangir. A passionate vlogger, software engineer, and avid traveler with a deep love for exploring the hidden gems of our beautiful planet. With a strong foundation in Application Development, Application Architecture & Database Design and Product Management, I bring over a decade of hands-on experience building secure, scalable, and resilient web applications for a diverse range of industries."

How Websites Work

 

How Websites Work (Client-Server Model)

Have you ever wondered what happens when you type a website address like www.google.com into your browser and hit enter? Let’s break it down in a simple way!

The Big Picture

Websites work based on a system called the Client-Server Model. It’s like a conversation between two people:

  • Client = You (your browser like Chrome or Firefox)
  • Server = The computer that holds the website data

Step-by-Step: What Happens Behind the Scenes

  1. You Type a URL
    • You enter a website address (like www.example.com) in your browser and press enter.
  2. Browser Looks Up the Server
    • The browser asks the DNS (Domain Name System) to find the IP address of that website (like looking up someone’s phone number).
  3. Browser Sends a Request
    • Once it finds the IP, your browser sends a request to the web server asking for the website content.
  4. Server Receives and Responds
    • The server sees your request, fetches the right files (like HTML, CSS, images), and sends them back.
  5. Browser Shows You the Page
    • Your browser receives the files and builds the website page you see.

This entire process usually takes just a few seconds (or less)!

Real-Life Analogy

Think of it like ordering food at a restaurant:

  • You (Client) ask for a dish.
  • Waiter (Browser) delivers your order to the kitchen.
  • Chef (Server) cooks and prepares the meal.
  • Waiter brings it back to your table.

Simple, right?

Key Terms You Should Know

  • Client: The device or browser making the request (your computer, mobile, etc.)
  • Server: A powerful computer that stores website files and handles requests
  • HTTP/HTTPS: The communication protocol used to send and receive data between client and server
  • DNS: Like a phonebook for websites; it converts domain names into IP addresses
  • Request/Response: The way clients and servers talk — clients request data, servers respond with it

Why It Matters in Web Development

Understanding how websites work helps you become a better developer. Whether you're working on the frontend (the part users see) or backend (server-side logic), knowing this flow gives you a strong foundation.

 

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