What distinguishes an application server from a web server?

An application server and a web server serve different purposes in a networked environment. A web server handles HTTP requests, serving static content like HTML, CSS, and images to clients’ browsers. It is primarily responsible for managing web pages and client-side interactions. In contrast, an application server provides an environment for running server-side applications. It handles dynamic content, executes business logic, and supports databases, transactions, and application processes. While a web server can serve static content, an application server also supports complex operations like processing business logic and generating dynamic responses for web applications.