What is HTTP?
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is a protocol used for transferring data over the web. It operates at the application layer of the OSI model. HTTP defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, and how web servers and browsers should respond to various commands.
HTTP is a protocol for fetching resources such as HTML documents. It is the foundation of any data exchange on the Web and it is a client-server protocol, which means requests are initiated by the recipient, usually the Web browser. A complete document is typically constructed from resources such as text content, layout instructions, images, videos, scripts, and more. -MDN
HTTP vs HTTPS
| Aspect | WWW (World Wide Web) | Internet |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet. | A global network of interconnected computers and servers. |
| Scope | A subset of the Internet focused on web pages and web services. | Includes all types of network connections and communications beyond just web pages. |
| Components | Websites, web pages, web servers, web browsers. | Email, FTP, DNS, VoIP, and other services, in addition to the WWW. |
| Access | Accessed through web browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox). | Accessed through various protocols and services (e.g., email clients, FTP clients). |
| Function | Provides a platform for browsing and interacting with content online. | Provides the underlying infrastructure for various online and networked services. |
| Protocols | Primarily uses HTTP/HTTPS for data transmission. | Uses various protocols like TCP/IP, UDP, FTP, SMTP, and more. |
| Data Representation | Data is represented as web pages with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. | Data can be transmitted in many formats, including text, files, and multimedia. |