What is the primary function of a router in a web application?

The primary function of a router in a web application is to direct incoming requests to the appropriate handler. When a user interacts with a web application, such as by clicking a link or submitting a form, the router determines the specific URL associated with that action. It then maps this URL to a corresponding function or controller that handles the request, processes any necessary data, and generates an appropriate response to send back to the user.

This routing mechanism is crucial for organizing the application’s structure and ensuring that requests are processed correctly according to the defined routes. It effectively acts as a traffic manager for the various paths in the application, allowing developers to define clear and organized pathways for incoming requests, regardless of the complexity of the web application.

While other options like enhancing user interface design, managing database connections, and providing authentication services are important functionalities in a web application, they are not the primary role of a router. Instead, they are typically handled by other components in the application architecture, showcasing the distinct purpose of routing in managing request flow.