Server

A server is a computer (or program) that receives and answers requests from other devices, the "clients." When you open a website, your browser ✕ A browser is the program you use to open websites and surf the internet — such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. More in the glossary → sends a request to the web server, which delivers the page. Servers run around the clock in data centers and are built for reliability and many simultaneous requests. There are different types, such as web, mail, and database ✕ A database stores a site’s content —posts, pages, comments— in an organized way so it can be retrieved instantly. WordPress uses MySQL or MariaDB. More in the glossary → servers. With hosting ✕ Web hosting is renting space on a server so your website is reachable around the clock. The host takes care of the technology, security, and availability. More in the glossary → , you're essentially renting server resources to make your website available online. More in the best web hosting comparison.