What is a Server?
A server is a computer that's always turned on and ready to send websites or data to other computers.
Think of it like this
It's like a shop that never closes and always answers the door.
What's happening
Summary
Servers provide stuff when computers ask for it.
A Closer Look
A server is a computer that stores and shares information with other computers. When you visit a website, you're asking a web server to send you that website's files. Servers are always on and waiting to respond to requests, whether that's delivering web pages, emails, videos, or other data.
Common Misconceptions
- A server doesn't have to be a massive machine — technically your laptop could act as a server.
- "Server" refers to the role a computer plays, not its physical appearance.
- Servers aren't just for websites — they handle email, file storage, databases, games, and more.
How it connects
Servers sit at the heart of how the web works:
Try it yourself
Visit example.com in a new tab — a real, minimal web page served directly from a server with no JavaScript or styling added.