24 Questions
In a client/server architecture, the client is a powerful computer that provides a service.
False
Application partitioning is the process of placing an entire application code in a single location.
False
One of the advantages of application partitioning is decreased performance.
False
In a Web application, the DBMS activities are part of the GUI interface.
False
A Web server is a type of database server.
False
The presentation layer is responsible for managing database operations.
False
A thin client is a type of client that manages most of the application logic.
False
The main advantage of client/server architecture is the reduction of interoperability.
False
A fat client is responsible for processing only the presentation logic.
False
In a thin client architecture, the client is responsible for processing most of the application logic.
False
A two-tier client-server environment can have processing logic only at the client side.
True
Middleware is a software that allows an application to interoperate with other software without requiring user to understand and code low-level operations.
True
In a three-tier client-server environment, processing logic is only at the web server.
False
API stands for Application Program Interface.
True
The database server hosts the web server.
False
The web browser is a server-side component.
False
ODBC is a common web API.
False
A web application can have a database server, web server, and application server.
True
JDBC is a Python API for database access.
False
A 3-tier application involves multiple database updates.
True
In a three-tier architecture, information flow can include server-side processing and database access.
True
Stored procedures are used to improve security in a database.
False
Connection pooling is used to improve database performance.
True
Middleware is used to connect to a database in a 3-tier application.
True
Study Notes
Client-Server Architectures
- A networked computing model where processes are distributed between clients and servers.
- A client is a workstation (PC, smartphone, tablet) that requests and uses a service.
- A server is a powerful computer (PC/mini/mainframe) that provides a service.
Fat Clients vs. Thin Clients
- A fat client is a client PC that is responsible for processing presentation logic, extensive application and business rules logic, and many DBMS functions.
- A thin client is an application where the client (PC) accessing the application primarily provides the user interface and some application processing, usually with no or limited local data storage.
Logic Distributions
- In two-tier client-server environments, processing logic can be at the client (fat client), server (thin client), or both (distributed environment).
- In three-tier and n-tier client-server environments, processing logic will be at the application server or Web server.
Web Application Components
- Database server: hosts the DBMS (e.g., Oracle, SQL Server, Informix, MS Access, MySql).
- Web server: receives and responds to browser requests using HTTP protocol (e.g., Apache, Internet Information Services (IIS)).
- Application server: software building blocks for creating dynamic Web sites (e.g., MS ASP.NET framework, Java EE, PHP).
- Web browser: client program that sends Web requests and receives Web pages (e.g., Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Google Chrome).
Information Flow in a Three-Tier Architecture
- Has server-side processing, including database access.
- Information flows from the Web browser to the Web server, then to the application server, and finally to the database server.
Middleware and APIs
- Middleware: software that allows an application to interoperate with other software without requiring the user to understand and code low-level operations.
- API: Application Program Interface, routines that an application uses to direct the performance of procedures by the computer's operating system.
- Common database APIs: ODBC, ADO.NET, JDBC.
Steps for Using Databases via Middleware APIs
- Identify and register a database driver.
- Open a connection to a database.
- Execute a query against the database.
- Process the results of the query.
- Repeat steps 3-4 as necessary.
- Close the connection to the database.
Considerations in 3-Tier Applications
- Stored procedures: code logic embedded in DBMS, improves performance, but is proprietary.
- Transactions: involve many database updates, either all must succeed, or none should occur.
- Database connections: maintaining an open connection is resource-intensive, use connection pooling.
This quiz covers the differences between thin clients and fat clients, including their roles in processing and data storage. It explains how thin clients provide user interfaces and limited application processing, whereas fat clients handle extensive application and business rules logic.
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