| 摘要 |
A client-server system utilizing a stateless protocol to access server data over a network (55). Such a system may implement online transaction processing, where a client (60) utilizes specialized computer software to provide entry forms to indicate information to be retrieved from an application server (50). A unique identifier is generated to identify a particular client, and is embedded into communications between the client (60) and the application server (50), the presence of the identifier causing the application server (50) to maintain an active network connection (55) to the client, as well as allowing the application server to maintain server-side state information, such as information to be distributed to the client computer, the client identifier, and other desired information regarding the client's activities. Maintaining an active connection, as opposed to continually dropping and reinitiating contact, reduces network overhead. A database server (40) may operate in conjunction with the application server (50) through communications over a second network connection (45) for storing the server-side information. The application server (50) may be implemented using Web server technology. If the HTTP Hypertext Transport Protocol is used on a network (55) to communicate with the client (60), then the Client (60) may use any operating system supporting the HTTP protocol. |
