HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)

HTTP is an acronym for HyperText Transfer Protocol. This is the communications protocol that is used to connect web server host computers on the internet. The HTTP server application resides on the web server host computer. The protocol establishes a connection with the web server host computer and the user’s computer, and sends HTML (web) pages, or other files back to the user’s web browser or other application that can use HTTP.

Addresses of web sites or web pages have a http:// prefix.

Web browsers default to the http:// prefix, so it is not needed.

The connection between the server and user is closed after the request is completed.

HTTP functions as a request-response protocol in the client-server computing model. A web browser, for example, may be the client and an application running on a computer hosting a web site may be the server. The client submits an HTTP request message to the server. The server, which provides resources such as HTML files and other content, or performs other functions on behalf of the client, returns a response message to the client. The response contains completion status information about the request and may also contain requested content in its message body.

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