In a three-tier client/server model, which statement is true about the layers?

• A. The client handles presentation, the application server handles business logic, and the database server handles data storage
• B. The database server handles presentation
• C. The application server handles data storage
• D. The client handles data storage and processing only

Answer: (A)

In a three-tier client/server model, responsibilities are clearly separated into three layers: presentation on the client, business logic on the application server, and data storage on the database server. This structure keeps the user interface distinct from the processing rules and from where data is stored, enabling easier scaling and maintenance.

The described mapping—the client handling presentation, the application server handling business logic, and the database server handling data storage—fits this separation exactly. It preserves the roles of each tier: UI is presented to the user by the client, core rules and workflows run in the application server, and data is stored and retrieved by the database server.

The other options misplace a layer’s role—for example, having the database server handle presentation would mix UI concerns with data storage, and having the application server manage data storage would blur the boundary between business logic and data access.