MUSE Ltd.: server

server

server

noun A program which provides data for a client, or, more likely, members of a set of clients. This is a relative term: for MUD2, the interpreter is a server for the FE (which is its client), and the FE is a server for the player's comms program (which is its client). Often, the 'middle men' are cut out, with server used to refer to the interpreter, and client reserved for whatever acts as the player's pre-processor. Server is seen by many as a synonym for driver or host, which explains why the exact designation isn't always clear.