HTTP - Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol

By: Preethi Ramkumar

Meaning of HTTP - "Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol" is the underlying protocol used by the World Wide Web. HTTP defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, and what actions Web servers and browsers should take in response to various commands. For example, when you enter a URL in your browser, this actually sends an HTTP command to the Web server directing it to fetch and transmit the requested Web page.

The other main standard that controls how the World Wide Web works is HTML, which covers how Web pages are formatted and displayed. HTTP is called a stateless protocol because each command is executed independently, without any knowledge of the commands that came before it. This is the main reason that it is difficult to implement Web sites that react intelligently to user input. This shortcoming of HTTP is being addressed in a number of new technologies, including ActiveX, Java, JavaScript and cookies.

The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is an application-level protocol for distributed, collaborative, hypermedia information systems. HTTP has been in use by the World-Wide Web global information initiative since 1990. The first version of HTTP, referred to as HTTP/0.9, was a simple protocol for raw data transfer across the Internet. HTTP/1.0, as defined by RFC 1945 [6], improved the protocol by allowing messages to be in the format of MIME-like messages, containing metainformation about the data transferred and modifiers on the request/response semantics. However, HTTP/1.0 does not sufficiently take into consideration the effects of hierarchical proxies, caching, the need for persistent connections, or virtual hosts. In addition, the proliferation of incompletely-implemented applications calling themselves "HTTP/1.0" has necessitated a protocol version change in order for two communicating applications to determine each other's true capabilities.

Other Related Definitions:

“…HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It's the network protocol used to deliver virtually all files and other data (collectively called resources) on the World Wide Web, whether they're HTML files, image files, query results, or anything else. Usually, HTTP takes place through TCP/IP sockets (and this tutorial ignores other possibilities). A browser is an HTTP client because it sends requests to an HTTP server (Web server), which then sends responses back to the client. The standard (and default) port for HTTP servers to listen on is 80, though they can use any port. ” [James Marshall] 

“…The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is an application-level protocol with the lightness and speed necessary for distributed, collaborative, hypermedia information systems. HTTP has been in use by the World-Wide Web global information initiative since 1990. [Javvin Technologies]

“…HyperText Transport Protocol) The communications protocol used to connect to servers on the Web. Its primary function is to establish a connection with a Web server and transmit HTML pages to the client browser or any other files required by an HTTP application. Addresses of Web sites begin with an http:// prefix; however, Web browsers typically default to the HTTP protocol. For example, typing www.yahoo.com is the same as typing http://www.yahoo.com. ” [Answers.com] 

“…HTTP: Abbreviation for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. In the World Wide Web, a protocol that facilitates the transfer of hypertext-based files between local and remote systems. ” [ATIS Committee ] 

“…The client-server TCP/IP protocol used on the World-Wide Web for the exchange of HTML documents. It conventionally uses port 80. ” [dict.die] 

“…Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), used to implement the World Wide Web. ” [Microsoft ]

“…HTML or hypertext mark up language is a universal language that computers understand. It allows for data to be saved as as a text file The browser looks for a set of tags < > and displays the document's content according the commands or keywords inside the tags. ” [Digital Art] 

Related Links:

Hypertext Transfer Protocol - W3C
A Practical Guide to Writing Clients and Servers – HTTP Made Really Easy
Internet Resources – Javvin Network Management & Security
DTCP/IP Hypertext Transfer Protocol – TCPIPGuide
How does HTTP Operates? – University of New Mexico
Website with lists of HTTP associations and projects – CiteSeer.IST
History of HTTP - A great hub for everything HTTP
Powering the Web with HTTP – A DigitalWeb magazine about HTTP
Hypertext Transfer Protocol HTTP 1.0 Specifications – Editorial Reviews Of Hypertext in the Web - a History
Offers components for frequently used Internet protocols - Simple interface for developing customized web client
Understanding the World Wide Web – State University of Newyork

Products and Solutions:

Bitpipe - IT Information
Yahoo - World Wide Web HTTP
Freeprogramming –Free HTTP Tutorials
Looksmart – Guides, advice and technical references on HyperText Transfer Protocol
Apacheweek – A Quick Guide to how HTTP Works
ITToolbox – Communication Methods

Books About:

Hypertext Transfer Protocol HTTP 1.0 Specifications - by Toexcell Incorporated, World Wide Web Consortium
HTTP Essentials: Protocols for Secure, Scaleable Web Sites - by Stephen A. Thomas
HTTP Developer's Handbook - by Chris Shiflett
Computer Networks: Internet Protocols in Action - by Jeanna Matthews

See Also:

HTTP Resources
 

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