What is the difference between a Web server and an application server?

Web Server:


Supports HTTP protocol. When the Web server receives
an HTTP request, it responds with an HTTP response,
such as sending back an HTML page (static content) or
delegates the dynamic response generation to some
other program such as CGI scripts or Servlets or JSPs in
the application server.

Uses various scalability and fault-tolerance techniques.

Application Server:


Exposes business logic and dynamic content to the client
through various protocols such as HTTP, TCP/IP, IIOP, JRMP etc.


Exposes business logic and dynamic content to the client
through various protocols such as HTTP, TCP/IP, IIOP, JRMP etc.