HTTP

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the foundational protocol used to transfer data over the web. It operates at the application layer of the OSI model and is responsible for facilitating communication between web browsers (clients) and web servers. HTTP uses a request-response model: a client sends a request to a server, and the server responds with the requested data, typically in the form of HTML, images, or other content.

HTTP is stateless, meaning each request is independent, and no connection history is retained between requests. This design allows for fast communication but limits interaction unless state management is added via cookies, sessions, or tokens. HTTP typically operates on port 80, while the secure version, HTTPS, operates on port 443 and uses SSL/TLS encryption for data protection.

HTTP supports several request methods:

• GET: Requests data from a server.
• POST: Submits data to a server.
• PUT: Updates data on a server.
• DELETE: Deletes data on a server.

These methods enable CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations, which are essential for web applications.