Functions of a Web Server
The fundamental job of a Web server is to provide an outbound data stream in response to an inbound request. For instance, if the server determines that the request is not for an executable type of page, the server could map the request to a local file and return its contents to the client. It is the browser that renders a visual page from many input requests based upon its content. A Web server seems simplistic when viewed from that 10,000-foot level. The fundamental services of a Web server are
Implement a service requested through the HTTP.
Decode requests from protocol headers.
Resolve requests to content streams.
Project data streams back to the requestors.
A practical Web server adds flesh to this list:
Maximize concurrency ...
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