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Distributed Multitiered Applications

<< Application Clients | Web Tier and Java EE Applications >>
<< Application Clients | Web Tier and Java EE Applications >>

Distributed Multitiered Applications

Your Java EE application uses a thin browser-based client or thick application client. In
deciding which one to use, you should be aware of the trade-offs between keeping functionality
on the client and close to the user (thick client) and off-loading as much functionality as
possible to the server (thin client). The more functionality you off-load to the server, the easier it
is to distribute, deploy, and manage the application; however, keeping more functionality on
the client can make for a better perceived user experience.
Web Components
Java EE web components are either servlets or pages created using JSP technology (JSP pages)
and/or JavaServer Faces technology. Servlets are Java programming language classes that
dynamically process requests and construct responses. JSP pages are text-based documents that
execute as servlets but allow a more natural approach to creating static content. JavaServer Faces
technology builds on servlets and JSP technology and provides a user interface component
framework for web applications.
Web Tier
Business Tier
Client Tier
Java EE
Server
> Web Browser, Web Pages,
Applets, and Optional
JavaBeans Components
> Application Client and
Optional JavaBeans
Components
FIGURE 1­2
Server Communication
Distributed Multitiered Applications
The Java EE 5 Tutorial · September 2007
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