client

1. a customer

2. a person who is registered with or receiving services or financial aid from a welfare agency

3. Computing a program or work station that requests data or information from a server

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

Client

The person or organization who has a need for a project; responsible for the overall financing of the work and directly or indirectly employs the entire design and building team.

client

[′klī·ənt]

(computer science)

A hardware or software entity that requests shared services from a server.

client

(programming)

A computer system or process that requests a service of another computer system or process (a "server") using some kind of protocol and accepts the server's responses. A client is part of a client-server software architecture.

For example, a workstation requesting the contents of a file from a file server is a client of the file server.

This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)

client

(1) A desktop computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet, as well as any other electronic device that sends or receives data from a server. The term implies a connection to a wired or wireless network. Contrast with server. See client application, client download, client/server, thin client and fat client.

(2) One end of the spectrum in a request/supply relationship between programs. See X Window and OLE.

(3) The customer of a vendor or consultant. The client of an IT department is the end user.

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Mentioned in

References in classic literature

"I am not the sort of client for a gentleman of such note, but he is so good!"

View in context

David Gaino, CPA, managing shareholder of 90-person, 40-CPA Moore Stephens Apple in Akron, Ohio, says, "When a client isn't doing well, 60% of the time it's a people problem." His firm started offering HR consulting after a former partner noted that clients asked repeatedly for help with staff issues.

Be an HR resource for your clients: from benefits administration to facilitating retreats, HR services fit many core CPA skills

We then engage the client and have a review process that allows us to monitor clients' progress through relationships in a visual, numerical and goals.

E-volutionizing retirement planning: web-based and consumer self-service tools are beginning to gain ground in retirement planning

Of course, sellers can argue that the expansion of a client's operations or change in client's circumstances are endemic to the client and should be included in the purchase price.

The insider: well planned and structured agreement key to successful internal succession

The counselor will have the benefit of hearing the client's tone of voice, possibly her hesitancy in responding to inquiries, and other verbal cues that may lead to a more clear understanding of the client.

Applying technology to online counseling: suggestions for the beginning e-therapist

Most storage management solutions today consist of management applications running on the client with user intervention enabled.

Client computer storage consolidation

The proposed ethics ruling under Rule 102, "Integrity and Objectivity," would require that a member inform the client that he or she may be using a third-party service provider when providing professional services to the client, prior to sharing confidential client information with the service provider.

Exposure draft issued on outsourcing; focuses on disclosure, oversight

"Thin client computing brings new meaning to the phrase less is more," quips Christine Williams, director of engineering at Michigan Technical University.

Is thin in? Will the 'new' thin client contain spiraling campus computing and support costs, or is it just the 21st century's dumb terminal?

"Price, quality and convenience are all important considerations for us in terms of client products and service," Juncosa added.

Innovations in banking: customer service means total access

Eighteen providers believed that risk assessment should be conducted universally, however, four providers thought that risk assessment should be conducted only at a client's first visit or when a client indicates being at risk Among those who believed that all women should be assessed for STD risk, a common explanation was that providers and clients often are unaware of the clients' vulnerability to STDs:

Family planning providers' perspectives on dual protection

In fact, virtually every financing transaction in the real estate world requires a monetary or equitable contribution from the client, and it is the broker or lender's responsibility to make sure that the client has enough money, and cash flow, to make the deal work.

Does your client have enough money?

Microsoft has been the dominant player in this part of thin client computing, but Linux has become a viable choice.

"Thin is in: in more districts, thin clients are replacing "fat" computers. Is the time for a computing revolution near?