Difference Between Server-Side Scripting And Client Side Scripting

What Is Server-side Scripting?

Server-side scripting is a method of designing websites so that the process or user request is run on the originating server. Server-side scripts provide an interface to the user and are used to limit access to proprietary data and help keep control of the script source code.  It is based on the use of scripts that are carried out by the web server using the appropriate scripting languages when a client requests the corresponding content. The languages that can be used to create server-side scripts include:

• ActiveVFP
• ASP
• C
• DC
• JAVA
• JavaScript
• PHP
• Ruby
• Python

The script’s task is often to retrieve the appropriate data from a database and integrate it into the web project. The user accesses these via HTML pages, while the script source codes remain completely hidden. The use of server-side scripts requires the client to send multiple requests to the web server to provide the user with new information.

What You Need To Know About Server Scripting

• Server-side scripting is used at the backend where the source code is not viewable or hidden at the client side (browser).
• A web server runs the script for server-side scripting that creates the page which needs to be sent to the browser.
• Server-side scripting happens when a user’s browser initiates a server request. Dynamic pages are then created based on several conditions.
• The scripting process for the server side is done on remote computer and hence the response is comparatively slower than the client side one.
• A server can carry out a server-side script, but cannot perform the client side scripting.
• Server-side scripting helps in connecting to the databases that are already present in the web server.
• Server-side scripting is excellent for any area that requires loading of dynamic data.
• Languages used in server scripting are Ruby on Rails, PHP, ColdFusion, Python, ASP, Perl etc
• Server side scripting has access to all the files present in the web server.
• Server side scripting is more secure than client side scripting as the server side scripts are usually hidden from the client end.

What Is Client Side Scripting?

 A client side script is a program that is processed within the client browser. These kinds of scripts are small programs which are downloaded, compiled and run by the browser. JavaScript is an important client-side scripting language and is widely used in dynamic websites.

The script can be embedded within the HTML or stored in an external file. If the user now tries to access a webpage or application with such a client-side script, the web server sends the HTML document and the script to the browser, which performs the same execution, presenting the final result. Client-side scripts can also contain concrete instructions for the web browser, determining how it should react to users’ actions e.g clicking on a button. Often, the client doesn’t need to re-establish a connection to the web server.

As the scripts are executed in the user’s browser, the user has the option to view the source code unlike with the server-side scripts. The interpretation of the scripts requires the corresponding script language to be understood by the web browser. Some of the languages include:

• Javascript
• HTML
• CSS
• VB script etc.

There are also various browser extensions available, which can block scripts as client-side scripting applications, such as pop-ups and web-tracking tools, can have a negative impact on the loading times.

What You Need To Know About Server Scripting

• Client-side scripting is used at the front end which users can see from the browser.
• A browser runs the script for client-side scripting that is already present in the user’s computer.
• Client-side scripting happens when the browser possesses all the codes and the page in later changed according to the user’s input.
• The scripting process of client server is executed on a local computer and thus the response is comparatively quicker when compared to server side scripting.
• A browser can perform the client-side scripting after receiving the page sent by the server.
• Client-side scripting does not connect to the databases that are on the web server.
• Client-side scripting is excellent for any case which requires user interaction.
• Languages commonly used for client-side scripting are Javascript, HTML, CSS, VB script etc.
• Client side scripting has no access to all the files present in the web server.
• Client side scripting is less secure because the scripts are usually not hidden from the client end.

Also Read: Difference Between Client-Server And Peer-To-Peer Network

Difference Between Server-Side Scripting And Client-Side Scripting In Tabular Form