HTTP
Hypertext Transfer Protocol
The shared set of rules browsers and servers use to exchange data.
In Simple Terms
HTTP is the common set of rules a browser uses to retrieve data from a web server. The browser sends a request — essentially 'show me this page' — and the server responds by sending back text, images, and other content. The 'http://' at the start of a URL indicates that this protocol is being used for the connection.
Behind the Name
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol — a protocol defining how hypertext (linked web content) is transferred between a browser and a server. Think of it as the shared language that makes displaying web pages possible.
Take a Closer Look!
HTTP is the communication protocol used to exchange information between a web browser and a web server.
Whenever you visit a website, your device and the computer storing that site's content need to communicate. HTTP is the universally agreed-upon set of rules that makes that exchange work smoothly.
When a browser tries to open a specific page, it first sends a 'request' to the server. The server receives it, processes the contents, and sends back a 'response.' This single round-trip exchange is what causes text, images, and other content to appear correctly on your screen.
To keep communication secure, 'HTTPS' — which combines HTTP with encryption — is now widely used.
You can tell which protocol is in use by looking at the beginning of a URL.
Understanding how HTTP works gives you a clear picture of how websites travel from a server all the way to your screen.