An application server is a software framework that provides an environment for running specific types of applications, typically web applications. It facilitates the development, hosting, and execution of application software by handling tasks such as managing security, data transactions, connection pooling, and resource management. It serves as a middle layer between the database servers and client requests, enabling dynamic content delivery, business logic execution, and database interactions. Application servers are essential for modern web applications as they provide the necessary infrastructure to support complex, dynamic, and scalable applications. They offer various services such as transaction management, security, load balancing, and session management, which are crucial for the smooth operation of enterprise-level applications. By offloading these tasks from the application code, developers can focus on implementing business logic, resulting in more efficient and maintainable applications.
| Feature | Apache Tomcat | JBoss/WildFly | IBM WebSphere | Oracle WebLogic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| License | Open Source | Open Source | Commercial | Commercial |
| Programming Language | Java | Java | Java | Java |
| Java EE Support | Partial | Full | Full | Full |
| Enterprise Support | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Clustering | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Management Console | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Popularity | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Unlike a web server, which primarily handles HTTP requests and responses, an application server provides a broader range of services. It not only serves web pages but also manages business logic, database interactions, and transaction processing:
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