Server-Side Proxy
A server-side proxy is an intermediary server that sits between client devices (like web browsers or mobile apps) and backend servers, handling requests and responses on behalf of clients. It is used to enhance security, improve performance, enable load balancing, and provide access control by intercepting and potentially modifying traffic. Common implementations include reverse proxies (for server-side applications) and forward proxies (for client-side requests).
Developers should learn and use server-side proxies when building scalable web applications that require security features like DDoS protection, SSL termination, or IP filtering, or when optimizing performance through caching, compression, or load distribution. They are essential in microservices architectures for routing requests, in content delivery networks (CDNs) for caching static assets, and in enterprise environments to enforce policies and monitor traffic.