Difference between web server and application server

java web-applications webserver weblogic application-server
testndtv picture testndtv · Jul 18, 2011 · Viewed 16.7k times · Source

As a layman, how do I understand the difference between web server and application server ? If you could give an example using a Java based web app in very "simple" terms that would be really great..

Also when we say Weblogic, is it a web server only ?

Answer

Bozho picture Bozho · Jul 18, 2011

A web server is something that handles HTTP requests and responses.

An application server (like WebLogic, WebSphere, JBoss AS, Glassfish, etc) usually includes a web server, but also adds a lot more features. The most important is that it manages objects. Whether they will be servlets (Servlet container), EJBs (ejb container), JMS listeners, etc.

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