Visual Basic 2005 for Programmers: Deitel Developer Series, Second Edition

21.3. Multitier Application Architecture

Web-based applications are multitier applications (sometimes referred to as n-tier applications). Multitier applications divide functionality into separate tiers (i.e., logical groupings of functionality). Although tiers can be located on the same computer, the tiers of Web-based applications typically reside on separate computers. Fig. 21.3 presents the basic structure of a three-tier Web-based application.

Figure 21.3. Three-tier architecture.

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The information tier (also called the data tier or the bottom tier) maintains data pertaining to the application. This tier typically stores ...