____________ server acts as a set of components accessible to the software developer through an API defined by the platform itself.

Correct option is A

An Application server acts as a set of components accessible to software developers through an API (Application Programming Interface) defined by the platform. It provides a development and runtime environment for executing server-side applications, enabling functionalities like business logic processing, database access, and transaction management.

Important Key Points:

1. An application server provides middleware services that bridge the client and back-end databases or other resources.
2. It supports technologies like Java EE, .NET, and Python to streamline application development.
3. APIs provided by the application server simplify integration and scalability.

Knowledge Booster:

• Mail: A mail server handles email sending, receiving, and storage but does not provide APIs for application development.
• File Transfer Protocol (FTP): Used for transferring files over a network, not for providing APIs or middleware services.
• Database: A database server manages data storage and queries but is not designed for application execution or API provisioning.