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NSWSoftware EngineeringQuick questions
Module 2: Programming for the Web
Quick questions on Client-server architecture explained: HSC Software Engineering Module 2
7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the four tiers?Show answer
Most web applications follow a three- or four-tier architecture:
What is the request-response cycle?Show answer
1. The user clicks "Add to cart". 2. The browser issues a POST request: POST /api/cart HTTP/1.1 Host: shop.example.com Content-Type: application/json Body: {"product_id": 42}.
What is a worked code example?Show answer
A minimal three-tier slice in Python with Flask:
What is why split into tiers?Show answer
:::worked Worked example A small Year 12 group is building a school excursion booking site. Identify which tier owns which responsibility.
What is forgetting the database tier?Show answer
"Browser, web server, application" misses persistent storage. Most marks-bearing exam answers want all four roles.
What is drawing the browser as part of the server side?Show answer
The browser runs on the user's device, not on your infrastructure.
What is confusing stateless and stateful tiers?Show answer
HTTP is stateless; the browser and web server do not remember previous requests. State lives in the database and (transiently) in session storage. Markers like an explicit mention of statelessness.
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