What does it mean to make a web application available for users by transferring it to a server?

Making a web application available for users by transferring it to a server is best described as deploying the application. Deployment encompasses more than just moving files; it includes taking the application and placing it on a server where it can be accessed by users over the internet.

This process involves configuring the server environment, ensuring that any necessary services are running, and making the application live for user interaction. Deployment is a critical step in the software development lifecycle, as it transitions an application from a development or staging environment into a live one, where real users can access and utilize its features.

While terms like upload, launch, and publish are related, they do not fully encapsulate the comprehensive nature of what deployment entails. Upload typically refers simply to transferring files to the server, while launch implies starting the application, and publish usually refers to making content available but does not specifically address the act of transferring the entire application to a server for user access.