architecturethick-client

Thick client or a standalone application?


I was wondering what is the exact difference between a thick client and a standalone application.

According to wikipedia a thick client still requires an application server.

I've got a .Net Windows Forms application that does not connect to an application server but still uses a database server. This application is solely an SQL provider for the db server and does not process data in a relevant way.

Is this application considered to be a standalone app or a thick client?

Edit: Is, for instance, Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio a standalone application or a thick client?


Solution

  • A standalone application can work without any network connection, but a thick client needs periodical network connection.

    In your case your application requires to connect to a database server over network, so it will be called as thick client.

    These terms are loosely used, so don't worry much about it.