When architecting dynamic internet programs, it’s vital to recognize the differences between client facet and server aspect technologies.
Server-side processing is important for tasks like moderation or login checks that need to occur server-side before results are returned to the client side.
Properly figuring out which gear are supposed for which surroundings guarantees a seamless glide of statistics among the back and front ends. Some technologies straddle or transcend these categories, confusing even experienced developers.
Let’s take a deeper look at four commonly used options PHP, Python, JavaScript, and SQL to determine precisely which one is not strictly a server side technology.
Breaking down their individual capabilities and typical use cases will establish a clear picture of how each contributes uniquely to the modern application stack.
PHP and Python: Reliable Server-Side Programming Powerhouses
PHP and Python have long reigned as two of the most popular choices for general purpose programming on the server. Both offer robust, high level languages with robust ecosystems ideal for tackling complex business logic and dynamic content generation tasks.
PHP alone serves over 80% of all websites according to the latest surveys, thanks to its ease of use and tight MySQL integration.
Its widespread LAMP stack roots have made it the go to CGI language for over 20 years. Python meanwhile has found a thriving home on the server as well through the Django and Flask frameworks, competing with PHP and establishing itself as a versatile alternative.
What makes these languages server side in nature is their ability to render responses on the fly.
PHP scripts can be embedded directly into HTML templates for conditional and iterative display of database driven data.
Python code pulls similar weight behind frameworks, interacting with databases, authentication systems, caching services and more to assemble complete HTTP responses.
These fully featured languages enable developers to build full stack applications entirely on the server from layout templating and routing down to database abstraction and object relational mapping layers.
While front end JavaScript plays its part, PHP and Python carry out the heavy lifting of dynamic page generation and business rule implementation.
SQL: A Database Ingredient, Not a Complete Recipe
SQL, or Structured Query Language, plays an indispensable role when it comes to working with relational databases which are almost always server side.
It provides the standard syntax for defining, manipulating and extracting information from tables. But SQL itself is not actually a programming language.
Rather than being Turing complete with limitless logic and flow control like the previously mentioned dynamic languages, SQL contains a narrowly focused set of commands.
Its core functionality consists of CREATE, READ, UPDATE and DELETE (CRUD) operations on database records through simple statements. The functionality is invaluable as a basic “data interaction layer” but does not encompass full programming capabilities.
SQL statements must be called from within another programming language to function. It operates purely to interface with the database management system, with no abilities for business rule coding, routing, templating or other paradigm shifting aspects that constitute a standalone server side technology.
Alone, SQL provides only half the database integration picture; it requires another platform to leverage its potential.
JavaScript’s Dual Personality: Client + Server Superstar
For many, JavaScript began and ended as the client side scripting language of web browsers. It animates pages with interactivity, collects data through events, and enhances the user experience layer with intuitive frontend interactions.
With JavaScript controlling the client side display and behavior layer, additional server communication happens through asynchronous requests behind the scenes.
In recent years, the rise of Node.js has expanded JavaScript’s reach far beyond the browser. Its asynchronous non blocking I/O model proves ideal for building massively scalable systems like real time apps and APIs.
Now JavaScript can drive fullMEAN, MEARN and other full stack frameworks on the back end too, handling routing, file systems, cryptography and more.
With such versatility, JavaScript stands out from the rest as a true multi environment programming polyglot.
While still primarily intended for client consumption, JavaScript’s unique abilities have evolved to allow the same language to power both frontend DOM scripting along with comprehensive backend web application architectures.
It joyfully blurs the line between client and server side technologies where others remain strictly divided.
FAQ
Q. Which of the following is a server side technology?
A. Node. js, ASP.NET, Java and its frameworks (like Spring), and PHP.
Q. Which of the following is not a server side language?
A. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language).
Q. Is Java a server side technology?
A. One of the most widely used server-side programming languages is Java.
Q. Is DHTML a server side technology?
A. DHTML used as server side code.
Q. Is PHP server-side?
A. PHP is a server-side scripting language.
Conclusion: Rediscovering SQL’s Narrower Scope
To wrap up the deep dive, we can now state definitively that out of PHP, Python, JavaScript and SQL SQL alone is not properly classified as a server side programming language in the same way.
PHP and Python build full fledged applications end to end, dynamically generating responses and implementing core algorithms. JavaScript now offers a similar level of dominance across environments.
SQL connects to databases without returning final output or containing broad logic. It depends on another language for integration into a working application.
Understanding each tool’s strengths and limitations sets the stage for crafting balanced, high performing systems.
Developers can then thoughtfully decide where each component adds the most value based on the problem at hand, rather than false assumptions about their capabilities. Making distinctions like in the beginning prevents technical debt down the road.
The modern application landscape brings both opportunities and perplexities. But by accurately defining how these key technologies relate and relate, architects gain clarity on composing cohesive architectures for whatever comes next.
