client-server computing

noun
UK /ˈklaɪənt ˈsɜːvə kəmˈpjuːtɪŋ/
US /ˈklaɪənt ˈsɜːrvər kəmˈpjuːtɪŋ/

A way computers work together where one asks for something and another gives it.

When you open a website, your computer uses client-server computing to ask a web server for the page.

SYNONYMS

client-server modelclient-server architecturetwo-tier architecturerequest-response computing

RELATED WORDS

serverclientnetworkdatabasecloud computing

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A network design where many client devices share resources from a central server.

The office uses client-server computing so all staff can access the same files.

3. A software structure that separates the user interface from the data storage.

The app's client-server computing keeps the phone light while the server does the heavy work.

4. A model used in online games where players' devices connect to a game server.

Multiplayer games rely on client-server computing to keep everyone in sync.