← Years 5–6 Digital Systems

Client and server

A client, like your browser, sends a request for data and a server stores that data and sends a response back.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems & Security — Module 28, 7-8 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 32, 9-10 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 5, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 5.1 The Internet and the World Wide Web — Module 5, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Networks and Sharing Data — Module 4, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Wired and Wireless Networks — Module 4, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Networked Systems and Access Control — Module 3, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Interactions Between Users, Data and Digital Systems — Module 30, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Digital Methods for Exchanging Data — Module 80, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Network Communications — Module 2

Understanding Client and server in Years 5–6 Digital Systems

What it does: The browser is the client in the exchange, since it sends the request for data. The response with the stored data comes from the web server back to the client. Clients request data. Servers store it and send it back. The web server stores the website data. The browser only asks for it and displays it.

Common mistakes: The client (the browser) sends the request to the server, not the other way round. It should be: client sends request to server. The server sends the page (the response) back to the browser. It should be: send(page, browser).

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 21–30) and word search (Modules 21–52).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
Which device usually acts as the client when you visit a website?
The computer that stores the websiteYour browser on your tablet
Matches
web server sends a request to the browser first
↓
The roles are mixed up. The client (browser) sends the request and the web server only sends a response.
Applying
Meanings
Term
client-server
Meaning
A client, like your browser, sends a request for data and a server stores that data and sends a response back.
Practice
CLIENT: browser
Testing
Gaps
-> request -> server
Check Answer
Spots
2server = web server
3server sends request to client

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Quick Questions

1. Which device usually acts as the client when you visit a website?
A. Your browser on your tablet ✓
B. The computer that stores the website
The client asks for data. Your browser is the client that asks for the web page.
2. What does a web server do?
A. Stores web pages and sends them back when asked ✓
B. Types web addresses for you
A server stores data and sends it back as a response to a request.
3. Which comes first in the client-server process?
A. The server sends a response
B. The client sends a request ✓
A server only sends a response after a client has made a request.
4. Which one is a response?
A. The web page data sent back to your browser ✓
B. Typing a web address into your browser
The response is the data the server sends back. Typing the address starts the request.
5. Which sentence is correct?
A. A server requests data and a client stores it
B. A client requests data and a server sends it back ✓
Clients request data. Servers store it and send it back.

Match the Pairs

client-server → A client asks for data and a server stores it and sends it back
request -> server → The browser (client) asks a web server for a web page
A browser is the client because it asks for a web page → client = browser
A web server stores the page and sends back a response → response <- web server
web server sends a request to the browser first → The roles are mixed up. The client (browser) sends the request and the web server only sends a response.
browser stores the website and the server asks for it → The roles are swapped. The server stores the website data and the browser (client) is the one that asks for it.

Key Term

client-server
A client, like your browser, sends a request for data and a server stores that data and sends a response back.

Fill in the Blanks

1. client -> request -> server
Hint: Type the role that asks for data, like a browser does.
2. client -> request -> server
Hint: Type the role that stores the data and replies to the request.
3. client <- response <- server
Hint: Type what the server sends back to the client.
4. browser sends a request to a web server
Hint: Type the message a client sends to ask for data.
5. client = browser server = web server browser -> request -> server
Hint: Type the program on your device that acts as the client.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A client = browser
B server = web server
C server sends request to client
D server sends back response
Line C — The client (the browser) sends the request to the server, not the other way round. It should be: client sends request to server.
Question 2
A request = 'GET /index.html'
B send(request, web_server)
C page = find(request)
D send(request, browser)
Line D — The server sends the page (the response) back to the browser. It should be: send(page, browser).
Question 3
A 1. Type a web address
B 2. Browser sends a request
C 3. Web server finds the page
D 4. Browser sends the response
Line D — The server sends the response. The browser is the client and sends the request. It should be: 4. Server sends a response.
Question 4
A client = 'browser'
B server = 'asks for web pages'
C client.request('home page')
Line B — A server stores data and sends it back. It does not ask for pages. It should be: server = 'stores web pages'.
Question 5
A client = web server
B request = 'give me the page'
C response = server(request)
Line A — The browser is the client. The web server is the server. It should be: client = browser.

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