The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the foundation of data communication on the World Wide Web. It defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, enabling web browsers and servers to interact seamlessly.
HTTP serves as a request-response protocol between clients and servers. For example, when you enter a URL, your browser sends an HTTP request to the server, which returns the requested resource, such as a web page.
Each HTTP request is independent, meaning the server doesn’t retain information between transactions. This simplicity supports scalability but often requires cookies or sessions for state management.
HTTP enables reliable retrieval of resources like HTML documents, images, and APIs. It supports caching, redirection, and authentication, making it essential for modern web services and applications.
If you want to dive deeper, what is the purpose of http protocol is thoroughly explained in our dedicated resource.
Is HTTP secure? Standard HTTP lacks encryption, but HTTPS (HTTP Secure) adds a layer of security via SSL/TLS.
How does HTTP differ from HTTPS? HTTPS encrypts data to protect sensitive information during transmission.
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