Concept in Definition ABC

HTTP is a hypertext transfer protocol used on the Web.

HTTP is an acronym that stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol. This protocol was developed by the institutions international W3C and IETF and is used in all types of transactions through Internet.

HTTP makes it easy to define syntax and semantics used by different web softwares - both clients, servers and proxies - to interact with each other.
This protocol operates by request and response between the client and the server. Often the requests have to do with files, running a program, consulting a database, translation and other functionalities. All the information that operates on the Web through this protocol is identified by the URL or address.

The typical transaction HTTP protocol consists of a header followed by a blank line and then a piece of data. This header defines the action required by the server.

Since its inception, HTTP has evolved into various versions. Among them, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2.

The protocol of this type operates with three-digit response codes, which communicate if the connection was rejected, if it was performed successfully, if it has been redirected to another URL, if there is an error on the part of the client, or on the part of the server.

Applications and web browsers tend to complement the action of HTTP, as happens, for example, with so-called "Cookies", which allow storing session information, a function that this protocol does not have, since it operates without condition.

Today, many of the URL addresses require the inclusion of the protocol " http://" for your correct functioning. This protocol is usually followed by the typical code "www" and then by the specific address of the website you want to visit.

HTTP topics