HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)

What is HTTP

HTTP means Hypertext Transfer Protocol. Let’s understand each of these words first.

Hypertext is a text with references (or hyperlinks) that connects you directly to the related material. So, think of a Word document with links. When I click on this CNN link. It directs me to the CNN webpage.

Transfer means to move from one place to another. In this case, it means to move the Web Pages from the Web Server where it is stored to the requesting computer’s browser.

Protocol means a procedure or systems or rules. So, HTTP basically means the system of transferring web pages.

Think of HTTP as the railway system among all the computers in the World Wide Web. Remember the World Wide Web is the library of the Internet. On this railway system, only web pages can ride along.

This is how it works.

The requesting computer opens up a browser to request the web page. Then the computer opens its socket (a stop station) just for the web pages’ traffic. Then the request rides along the HTTP railway to the webserver into its open socket (a stop station). The web server understands the request and loads the web pages to ride back to the HTTP railway. It goes through the socket then it shows up on the local browser of the requesting computer.

That is what and how HTTP works