HTTP
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol and defines the exchange of messages between clients and servers. A request contains a method, target, headers, and optionally a body; a response contains a status code, headers, and payload. HTTP is used not only for HTML but also for images, APIs, downloads, and many other resources.
HTTP is stateless by default: each request is initially handled independently. Sessions are created through additional mechanisms such as cookies or tokens. Methods including GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE express different intentions, while status codes describe the result. Modern HTTP versions optimise transport but do not correct faulty applications or insecure connections.
- Request-response protocol of the web
- Transfers documents, media, and API data
- Methods express the intended action
- Status codes describe the result
- Sessions require additional mechanisms
Frequently asked questions
HTTP is the application protocol through which clients and servers exchange structured requests and responses on the web.
Plain HTTP does not provide transport encryption. HTTPS protects HTTP connections with TLS.
