At its most basic, a web server is a computer system that stores, processes, and delivers web pages to users. This is done through a protocol or set of rules known as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). It's important to note that 'server' is both a physical device (a computer) and a software application that runs on that computer.

Let's break down how it works and why it's needed in more detail.

Storing Website Information

A web server stores files that make up a website. These files could include HTML files, which dictate the structure and text of the web page; CSS files, which provide the style and layout of the page; JavaScript files, which add interactivity; and media files such as images or videos.

Processing User Requests

When you type a URL (for example, www.google.com) into your web browser, you are effectively making a request to the web server that hosts the website associated with that URL. Your request travels across the internet, from your device to the server.