An application server is a software engine that delivers
applications to client computers or devices, typically
through the Internet and using the HyperText Transfer
Protocol. Application servers are distinguished from web
servers by the extensive use of server-side dynamic content
and frequent integration with database engines.
An application server handles most, if not all, of the
business logic and data access of the application (a.k.a.
centralization). The main benefit of an application server
is the ease of application development, since applications
need not be programmed; instead, they are assembled from
building blocks provided by the application server.
For example, a Wiki is an application server that allows
users to build dynamic content assembled from articles.
Moreover, Wikipedia is an assembled Wiki that delivers an
encyclopedia stored in a file system, with changes to the
encyclopedia stored in a database.
Application servers run on many platforms, and the term
colloquially applies to two different software applications.
The term is used to refer to servers of web-based
applications, such as integrated platforms for e-commerce,
content management systems, and web-site builders.
Alternatively, the term is used as a synonym for web
application framework.
