AI Knowledge HubServers & Infrastructure
port
Many programs run on one machine at once, so each is assigned a number to identify incoming requests; that number is a port. Two programs claiming the same port collide, which is why they are managed deliberately.
Saying a server listens on port 80 refers to exactly this number.
Why it mattersIt is the number in 'the server listens on port 80'. Managing who claims which number is what prevents collisions.
ExampleMany programs run on one machine at once, so each is assigned a number to identify incoming requests; that number is a port. Two programs claiming the same port collide, which is why they are managed deliberately.