Which statement best describes a client/server architecture?

• A. It is a type of distributed system where processing power is distributed between a central server and multiple clients
• B. It combines all resources into a single machine
• C. It relies solely on client machines without a server
• D. It uses peer-to-peer processing without a central server

Answer: (A)

Client/server architecture is a distributed model where processing power and resources are split between a central server and multiple client machines. The server hosts services or data (like databases, file shares, or application logic) and serves them to clients on request, while clients run applications that request those services. This setup centralizes control and resources, making management, security, and updates easier, and it scales as more clients are added.

The other descriptions don’t fit: combining all resources into a single machine describes a standalone system rather than a distributed server–client relationship; relying solely on client machines without a server removes the central provider of services; and peer-to-peer processing with no central server describes a different architecture where each node can act as both client and server without a dedicated central server.