N-tier Application Architecture

Although Figures 2-2 through 2-4 show different ways to split up the business logic, they all contain three basic components: the client, the server, and the network (which is not shown but is implied by the arrows).

The Client

We want to cover two types of client: the human one and the automated, or software-based, one. Let's start with the human type. The client in this case involves a machine with an operating system and network access. He typically uses a Web browser to access the Web application, although custom interfaces are also possible. This browser speaks the HTTP protocol. One of the unique things about this kind of client is that its sessions with the server do not demand constant servicing; there ...

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