HTTP is the protocol that underlies any data exchange on the Internet. It is a set of rules that determine the order of registration and transmission of messages. As well as the actions of web servers and browsers in response to various commands. When you enter a URL into the browser, you send an HTTP request to the server, which responds with the requested content.
HTTP as a communication protocol
HTTP can be compared to a universal language for exchanging information on the Internet. It allows different systems to communicate and understand each other. Without HTTP, the browser would not be able to interpret the data received from the server.
HTTP works as a stateless protocol, that is, each command is executed separately, without knowledge of the commands that came before it. This feature increases the speed and efficiency of data exchange, but requires the use of other methods, such as cookies, to maintain session continuity.
The structure of HTTP transactions
An HTTP transaction consists of a client request and a server response. The client’s request includes a method (GET, POST, DELETE, etc.), a URL, and additional elements such as headers and body contents. The server response contains a status code that indicates the result of the request and the requested data.
The Evolution of HTTPS
As the need for secure data transmission grows, HTTPS (HTTP Secure) is becoming more widespread. HTTPS is a secure version of HTTP that provides data encryption between the client and the server. HTTPS uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) protocols or its modern version TLS (Transport Layer Security) to ensure a secure connection.
HTTP in everyday use
HTTP works every time we go online. When you click on the link, the browser sends an HTTP GET request to the server. The server responds with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files, which the browser interprets and displays as a web page. When submitting the form, an HTTP POST request is sent with data that the server processes and responds to.