What is the primary purpose of a client-server architecture?

• A. To spread out low-powered processing capability.
• B. To centralize all processing on a mainframe.
• C. To require all software to run locally on each PC.
• D. To eliminate the need for servers.

Answer: (A)

The main idea this question tests is how client-server systems divide work between machines. In client-server architecture, processing tasks and data storage are shared between the client (which handles the user interface and input) and the server (which provides data, services, and heavy processing). This setup lets lightweight client devices access centralized resources and tools without each PC doing all the work, while still keeping the server as the central hub for data and processing power.

So, the best choice captures the goal of spreading processing across the network rather than bottling everything on a single machine. It reflects why you can run an application on a simple computer while complex operations happen on a server that many clients can use simultaneously.

The other options describe a different model: centralizing all processing on a mainframe is more characteristic of old mainframe setups, not typical client-server designs. Requiring all software to run locally on each PC contradicts the idea of offloading work to the server, and eliminating servers ignores the very component that coordinates data and services in this architecture.