Client-side refers to operations that are performed by the
in a client–server relationship in a
.
Typically, a client is a computer application, such as a
, that runs on a
's local
or workstationand connects to a
as necessary. Operations may be performed client-side because they require access toinformation or functionality that is available on the client but not on the server, because the user needs to observe themor provide input, or because the server lacks the processing power to perform the operations in a timely manner for allof the clients it serves. Additionally, if operations can be performed by the client, without sending data over the network, they may take less time, use less
, and incur a lesser
risk.
When the server serves data in a commonly used manner, for example according to the
or
, usersmay have their choice of a number of client programs (most modern web browsers can request and receive data usingboth of those protocols). In the case of more specialized applications,
may write their own server, client, and
, that can only be used with one another.
Programs that run on a user's local computer without ever sending or receiving data over a network are not consideredclients, and so the operations of such programs would not be considered client-side operations.