What is a client/server system?

• A. A type of distributed system where processing power is distributed between a central server computer and a number of client computers (PCs)
• B. A mainframe-only architecture
• C. A stand-alone application
• D. A peer-to-peer network with no server

Answer: (A)

A client/server system is a distributed setup where processing power and resources are split between a central server and multiple client computers. The server provides services, data storage, and core functions, while clients handle the user interface and request those services from the server. This arrangement allows centralized management, shared resources, and scalability as more clients join.

This differs from a mainframe-only architecture, which would centralize most processing on a single large machine rather than distributing it to many clients. It also differs from a stand-alone application, which runs completely on one device with no networked services. And it differs from a peer-to-peer network, where there isn’t a central server coordinating resources and each node can act as both client and server.