A web server handles incoming HTTP requests, serving static files and forwarding dynamic requests to application servers like WSGI or ASGI for processing.

In the context of Python web applications, a web server plays a critical role in handling incoming HTTP requests and serving content to users. It acts as the intermediary between the client (typically a web browser) and the backend application logic. When a user requests a resource, such as a webpage, the web server processes the request and determines how to respond. For static files, like images, CSS, or JavaScript, the web server can directly serve these files to the client, ensuring quick access to content. For dynamic requests that require server-side processing, the web server forwards these requests to an application server, often implemented using WSGI (Web Server Gateway Interface) or ASGI (Asynchronous Server Gateway Interface). These interfaces allow the web server to communicate with Python web frameworks, enabling the execution of application logic and database interactions before sending the final response back to the client. Popular web servers for Python applications include Nginx and Apache, both of which are capable of handling high levels of traffic and can be configured to work seamlessly with Python application servers. Understanding the role of a web server is essential for deploying and scaling Python web applications effectively.