I have always called these web services, but it seems the term web service has changed.

What would you call these applications?

Publishing Services
Web Content Services

... ?

Or do you think they are still web services, but web services is now a double entendre?

    I would call them web servers, or web server software. "Web service" sounds more like a service that is provided by a web based application, rather than that which allows web based applications to be hosted.

      For whatever it's worth, Apache.org calls it "The Apache HTTP Server." 🙂

        NogDog wrote:

        For whatever it's worth, Apache.org calls it "The Apache HTTP Server."

        Yes, HTTP server is synonymous with web server.

          I've always called them web servers also; then again, I usually expand the 'S' in DBMS as "server" too, but that's because "system" is way too vague.

            How about Web Content Serving Daemon 🙂

            I get the feeling Service is used mainly because of Windows and Windows "services" as compared to *nix's Daemons. (no, I don't know for sure)

              But daemons (and Windows services) are running all the time, while web services only run when requested. Of course, the servers are running as daemons/services, so that they're there waiting for when the request comes in....

                I still think "server" is most appropriate since they serve information.

                  Do you call a server (machine) that runs a web server (software) a "web server server"? And if so, do you call the person who maintains that machine the "web server server server"? And if that person goes to TGIF for lunch, is he taken care of by a "web server server server server"? And when that person plays tennis, when he starts a point, is he the "web server server server server server"?

                  Sorry

                    bradgrafelman wrote:

                    I'll say something like "restart the web server" which at the time meant using "iisreset" and not the Start->Shut Down->Restart that the other tech did.

                    I suppose the latter works too, just that it is overkill leading to longer down time 😃

                      If there's ambiguity I usually refer to the physical hardware as the "server machine", or server box, or identify it by name.

                        I think being overly specific is overkill and defeats the practicality of things.
                        Specially in the IT world when the people talking to you arent just other IT's, reminds me of That 70's Show when Red Foreman is trying to sell kitchen appliances.
                        A lady comes in to buy a blender and the scene starts out with Red saying
                        "I'd love to help you lady, but if you dont know what wattage you need for proper RPM then I just cant help you" his boss comes over and just goes "see...what you need is this nice red one" and she was happy.

                        So whether web server reffers to the machine or to the software is a matter or relativity and I think that makes it easier to understand than having specific names to adhere to IT standards.
                        Its kinda like going to a lawyer and him expecting you to know everything about the law... well if I did I wouldnt need a him!

                          rulian wrote:

                          So whether web server reffers to the machine or to the software is a matter or relativity

                          Like I said, "if there's ambiguity". If it doesn't make a difference, then....

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