What is HTTP? – (HyperText Transfer Protocol)

HTTP, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, is like a language computers use to talk to each other over the internet. It helps web browsers (like Chrome or Firefox) communicate with web servers (where websites are stored). When you type a web address into your browser, it sends an HTTP request to the server asking for the webpage. The server then sends back an HTTP response with the webpage you wanted. HTTP works like a back-and-forth conversation between your browser and the server, exchanging information about what you want to see and what the server offers. You can view web pages, images, and videos online and interact with websites seamlessly.

What is in an HTTP request?

An HTTP request has three main parts:

• Request Line: It tells the server what action to take and includes the type of action (like “GET” to retrieve data or “POST” to send data), the web address of the resource needed, and the version of HTTP being used.
• Headers: These give extra information about the request, such as what kind of data is being sent or accepted, what kind of browser is making the request, and more.
• Body (Optional): Sometimes, the request includes a body that carries extra data, like when you fill out a form online and submit it. The body contains the information you typed into the form.

Features of HTTP

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) has several important features:

1. Easy to Understand: HTTP uses simple language that developers can quickly grasp, making it accessible for creating web applications and websites.
2. No Memory: Each time you send a request to a server, it treats it as a new request. It needs to remember past interactions, making managing and scaling servers simple.
3. No Constant Connection: With HTTP, your device connects to the server, sends a request, gets a response, and then disconnects. This saves resources on both ends.
4. Flexible: HTTP can be customised with different headers and methods to fit specific needs, making it adaptable for various applications.
5. Handles Different Media: It can transfer text, images, videos, and more, accommodating different types of content.
6. Caching: HTTP allows browsers and servers to store copies of web pages, making them load faster when revisited.
7. Security: While HTTP isn’t secure, HTTPS encrypts data for safer transmission, protecting sensitive information.
8. Supports Proxies and Gateways: It works well with intermediaries like proxies and gateways, which help with tasks like filtering content and balancing website traffic.
9. Request Methods: HTTP offers different methods like GET for retrieving data and POST for sending data, enabling various interactions with web servers.
10. Status Codes: It provides codes to indicate the outcome of requests, like 200 for success and 404 for page not found, helping users understand what’s happening with their requests.

What is an HTTP method?

An HTTP method is like a request your computer sends to a website’s server to do something specific. Here are some standard HTTP methods:

1. GET: Asks the server to send back information, like a web page or an image.
2. POST: Sends data to the server to create something new or do an action, like when you fill out a form.
3. PUT: Updates something on the server with new data.
4. DELETE: Asks the server to remove something.
5. PATCH: Makes small changes to something on the server.
6. HEAD: Gets information about something without actually getting the whole thing.
7. OPTIONS: Ask the server what methods and features it supports.

What are HTTP request headers?

HTTP request headers are like notes that your computer sends along with a request to a website’s server. These notes help the server understand what your computer wants and how to handle the request. Some standard HTTP request headers include:

1. User-Agent: Tells the server what kind of web browser you’re using.
2. Accept: Says what kind of content your computer can understand.
3. Content-Type: Tells the server what kind of data your computer is sending (like when you fill out a form).
4. Authorisation: Provides login information if needed.
5. Cookie: Sends cookies that the server previously stored on your computer.
6. Referer: This shows which web page you were on before making the request.
7. Cache-Control: This tells the server how to handle caching.
8. Accept-Language: Says what language your computer prefers.
9. Host: Specifies the website’s domain name.
10. Connection: Controls whether the connection to the server should stay open after the request is made.

What is in an HTTP request body?

The HTTP request body contains extra information that a computer sends to a website’s server when making specific requests.

For example:

That information goes in the request body when you fill out a form online, like entering your name or email.

The file’s content is included in the request body if you upload a picture or document. Sometimes, if you’re using an app or website, it might send data in a structured format like JSON or XML in the request body.

Any other type of data, like plain text or images, can also be included in the request body. The server uses this information to understand what you’re asking for or to process your action, like submitting a form or uploading a file. It’s like adding a note and your request to give the server more details about your needs.

What is in an HTTP response?

An HTTP response is akin to a message from a website’s server to your computer following a request. It comprises three primary components:

• Status Line: This line indicates to your computer whether the request was successful, employing a numeric code like 200 for “OK” or 404 for “Not Found.”
• Headers: These contain additional information about the response, such as the type of content (e.g., HTML or an image), its size, and whether it should be cached for future use.
• Response Body: This segment contains the content requested, such as a webpage, an image, or data from a database.

FAQs of HTTP

What is HTTP?

HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It's the foundation of data communication on the World Wide Web, allowing clients (web browsers) to request and receive server resources.

How does HTTP work?

HTTP works through a client-server model. Clients send requests to servers for resources like web pages or files, and servers respond with the requested data. This exchange is facilitated by messages containing headers and optional bodies.

What are HTTP methods?

HTTP or request methods indicate the desired action to be performed on a resource. Standard methods include GET for retrieving data, POST for submitting data, and DELETE for removing resources.