Server-side scripting, we use to develop Dynamic Web pages. During Web development, depending on the design of the website, Programmers will decide whether to use Client side scripting Server side scripting, or both. Through this article, we are going to briefly look, at how server-side scripts work.
When we access a website from our Computer, the request goes to the Server; we call it a web-server. The scripts reside in the web server to verify the request; perform some operations to produce the result back to the requestor (the Client). Once the result is ready, the web server sends the requested information, back to the Client, which means to our Computer.
Let’s take this website as an example; when we type the URL of this website, https://codesteps.com/, in the web browser; the request goes to the web server where this website is Hosted. The scripts in the web server read information from the Database(s), and also collect necessary information from other sources; finally collected information sends back to the requestor(s). Hence, we are seeing the content of the website from our end. The website content is populated dynamically with the help of Server side scripts.
The server-side scripts are not visible to the Client-side; due to security reasons. This is one of the major advantages of using Server side scripting. We use this type of technique, to deliver Client specific customized information, dynamically.
When the web server received, multiple (millions) requests; the Server will be busy processing all these requests and this may affect the performance. Hence, most Developers use another technique; which is Client side scripting, where the script will execute on the Client side. As mentioned earlier, this is the design decision, to decide what portions of the website use Server side scripting.
There are different languages we can use for server-side scripting. You can select the one, which is suitable for your requirements. For example; PHP, ASP, ASP.Net, JavaScript (Server side), JSP etc,. There are so many other languages we can use in server-side scripting.
</> Michael