Web Servers and Databases
Servers store and send data; databases organise it.
About this topic
A web server is a computer and software that stores website files and responds to browser requests. Many sites also need a database, an organised store of data such as users, products and orders, so pages can be generated dynamically. The usual design has a front end, which the user sees in the browser, and a back end, which runs on the server, applies logic and talks to the database.
For example, when you search an online shop, the browser sends a request, server code queries the database for matching products, builds an HTML page or data response and sends it back. Static sites serve fixed files, while dynamic sites build content on demand. Databases use languages like SQL to store, find and update data reliably.
Servers handle many users at once, and large sites spread the load over many machines, using caches to remember popular answers. Security is vital: servers must validate input to avoid attacks such as SQL injection, and passwords should be stored as hashes. A common misconception is that the browser stores all your account data; most of it lives on the server. Back ups protect against data loss.
Key ideas
- SQL queries
- Tables and rows
- APIs connect systems
Quick check
Use cases: where Web Servers and Databases helps
- Homework: review the key idea behind Web Servers and Databases before you start a problem set.
- Exam revision: use the quick check to test whether you can recall Web Servers and Databases without notes.
- Visual learning: play with the interactive lab to see how Web Servers and Databases changes when you adjust its inputs.
- Teaching a friend: explain Web Servers and Databases in your own words, then compare your version with the key ideas.
Computing ideas run phones, search engines, games and the wider internet.
Frequently asked questions
What is Web Servers and Databases?
Servers store and send data; databases organise it.
What will I learn in Web Servers and Databases?
SQL queries. Tables and rows. APIs connect systems.
Is Web Servers and Databases part of Computer Science?
Yes. It is one of 80 Computer Science topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
Does the Web Servers and Databases lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
How should I study Web Servers and Databases?
Read the summary and key ideas first, play with the interactive lab to see the idea in motion, then answer the quick check. If you get a question wrong, go back to the key idea it tests.
Do I need an account, and is my progress saved?
No account is needed. Marking a topic as learned is saved in your own browser, so it stays on that device and is not sent to a server.