vefþjónn

A vefþjónn, which translates to web server in Icelandic, is a computer program or device that processes requests via HTTP, the basic network protocol used to distribute information on the World Wide Web. A web server's primary function is to store, process, and deliver web pages to clients, which are typically web browsers.

When a user types a web address into their browser, the browser sends a request to the web server. The server then finds the requested file, such as an HTML document, image, or CSS stylesheet, and sends it back to the browser. This process happens rapidly, allowing users to view websites almost instantaneously.

Web servers can also handle dynamic content, meaning they can generate web pages on the fly based on user input or other factors. This is often achieved through scripting languages like PHP, Python, or JavaScript, which run on the server and interact with databases or other applications.

Popular web server software includes Apache HTTP Server, Nginx, and Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS). These servers are designed to be highly efficient, scalable, and secure, ensuring reliable delivery of web content to millions of users worldwide. The underlying infrastructure of the internet relies heavily on the continuous operation of these web servers.