HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
Definition
The foundational protocol for data communication on the web, defining how messages are formatted and transmitted between clients and servers.
HTTP is the protocol that powers the World Wide Web, defining how browsers (clients) request resources and how servers respond. It is a stateless request-response protocol, meaning each request is independent and the server does not remember previous interactions.
HTTP methods define the type of operation: GET (retrieve data), POST (submit data), PUT (update data), DELETE (remove data), PATCH (partial update), and HEAD (retrieve headers only). Status codes indicate the result: 200 (success), 301 (redirect), 404 (not found), 500 (server error).
HTTPS adds TLS/SSL encryption to HTTP, securing data in transit between the browser and server. This prevents eavesdropping, tampering, and man-in-the-middle attacks. Modern browsers mark HTTP sites as insecure, making HTTPS effectively mandatory for all websites.
Related Calculators
Related Terms
API (Application Programming Interface)
techA set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other and share data or functionality.
REST API
techAn architectural style for web services that uses standard HTTP methods to create, read, update, and delete resources, providing a stateless communication interface.
SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer / Transport Layer Security)
techCryptographic protocols that provide secure communication over computer networks, encrypting data between a web server and browser.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
techA web address that specifies the location of a resource on the internet, including the protocol, domain name, path, and optional parameters.
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