While there has been a continuous debate if client side scripting is better than server side scripting, we believe that a mix of both is best for any web application or portal. Here we have outlined some of the pros and cons of both.

Client Side Code

The client side code is inserted in the web page itself and is executed on the user’s internet browser. The scripting languages that can be used to write client side code include JavaScript, HTML and CSS. However, for your web application to be displayed properly, the browser must support these languages.

Advantages of client side code:

• Allows for more interactive and quick loading websites
• Immediate execution of client’s requests as they do not require to contact the server
• May enhance the usability of websites for browsers that support the code

Disadvantages of client side code:

• Every browser does not support scripts. Hence, some users might face difficulty if substitutes such as HTML have not been provided
• Requires more time and effort to be developed
• Every version of different browsers supports the script differently. Therefore, more testing is required.

Server Side Code

In a server side code, the website script is processed on the server before being downloaded by the internet browser. In this way, the requested web page or application is displayed as a regular HTML page while it is being loaded. The scripting languages for server side code are PHP, ASP.NET, Perl, Python, Java Server Pages etc.

Advantages of server side code:

• Reduces load on the user’s computer
• The site can be configured to use a content management system to simplify publishing, editing etc.
• Website load times are generally reduced

Disadvantages of server side code:

• Server side scripting does not offer as seamless experience for users as client side scripting does.
• Scripting software must be installed on the server

As each of them has their own usability, most websites use a combination of both client side and server side code. The former one is good for sites that require attractive appearance and user interaction. The latter one can be used for those that require posting dynamic data.