HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is a data transfer protocol used for communication between a web browser and a server. It defines how information is requested and transmitted across websites, enabling the internet to function as we know it — from loading pages to submitting forms and uploading files.

What is HTTP

HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. It was developed to facilitate interaction between a client (usually a web browser) and a server that hosts web content. Every time a user opens a website, the browser sends an HTTP request, and the server replies with an HTTP response containing the requested data.

HTTP forms the backbone of the modern web, transmitting HTML documents, images, videos, API requests, and other web application elements.

How HTTP Works

HTTP operates on a request–response model. The client sends a request specifying a method (such as GET, POST, PUT, or DELETE) and a resource address. The server processes the request and returns a response with a status code (e.g., 200 – OK, 404 – Not Found).

HTTP runs on top of the TCP/IP protocol, which ensures reliable data delivery over the network. However, HTTP itself is stateless, meaning it doesn’t retain information about previous requests or user sessions. To manage authentication, personalization, and session tracking, additional mechanisms like cookies and tokens are used.

Modern websites primarily use HTTPS, a secure version of the protocol that encrypts data using TLS (Transport Layer Security).

Use Cases

HTTP is used in virtually all areas of web communication, including:

• Loading websites and web applications;
• Enabling API communication between clients and servers;
• Data exchange between microservices;
• Integration with external systems via REST requests;
• Mobile applications retrieving data from web APIs.

HTTP supports caching, compression, and custom headers, all of which help optimize performance and reduce page loading time.

Advantages

HTTP has become a universal standard thanks to its simplicity and interoperability:

• Universality – supported by all browsers and platforms;
• Extensibility – allows custom headers, methods, and content types;
• Ease of implementation – simple to integrate into any system;
• Flexibility – suitable for web pages, APIs, and microservices.

HTTP/2 improves performance with stream multiplexing and header compression, while HTTP/3 uses the QUIC transport protocol for even higher speed and reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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