Where to attack

I've been studying on this website for a month now and I think I got a grasp of the basic principles and tactics. Although I still don't undestand when you choose the king/queen side for your attacks. I read that mainly depends on your pawn structure, but what does that mean? Do you attack where your paws are more advanced?

Depends on where you're stronger.  I typically like attacking the queenside better at least first as the king is a decent defending piece offering additional defense to the pawns there whereas the queen can shift to either flank due to its mobility.  Of course this assumes you're solid in the center, if you can strike in the center do so especially against a flank attack. 

Weak pawns and squares are the objects of attack, seize files you stand to gain from, exchange knights off even for a bishop if it gives you such an entry point for your rook (otherwise bishops are typically better), pile pressure on isolated pawns and pawn pairs, force concessions from the opponent leading to more weaknesses (typically play on both flanks by switching when appropriate), form miniplans involving exploitation of these weaknesses. 

In the above example.  The pawn structure tells you which side of the board to play on.  Whites pawn chain on e2-d3-c4 point to the queenside, so white will play on the queenside.  Blacks pawn chain on c7-d6-e5 point to the kingside, so black will play on the queen side.  This is due an advantage in space, as the pawns are farther advanced.  This is obviously one example, and each position can and will be different.

Got it, thanks.