What is the primary function of a web server?

The primary function of a web server is to store, process, and deliver web pages to clients over the internet. This encompasses several key activities: when users access a website, their browser sends a request to the web server, which then retrieves the requested web pages (typically HTML documents), processes any necessary backend logic, and sends the appropriate resources back to the client's browser for display.

In this role, the web server is essential for handling incoming requests, serving static content like images and stylesheets, and facilitating dynamic content through server-side processing, often in conjunction with application servers. This core responsibility ensures that users can access various online resources quickly and efficiently.

The other options touch on related but distinct functions. Creating web applications is typically handled by development tools and frameworks rather than the server itself. Analyzing traffic data is an important task for understanding web performance and user behavior, often done through analytics tools that operate separately from the web server. Providing security for user login systems involves using different cybersecurity principles and may also rely on other layers in the technology stack, such as application servers and security protocols.