## **What is HTTP?**

HTTP is a **Hypertext Transfer Protocol.** HTTP works similar to other application services like SMTP and FTP. Like the performance of FTP, it transfers a document using service of TCP port. But it uses just one TCP connection i.e. at data link and no individual Control Connection is used.

**HTTP** is a protocol which fetches resources such as HTML documents. It is used for exchanging data on the Web and is a client-server protocol which means requests are initiated by the recipient usually the Web browser.

The controls from the client-side delivered in a request message into the webserver. The web server sends the requested content at a response message. The HTTP doesn’t provide any security and makes use of SSL (Secure Socket layer) to club security in its communication.

## **How does HTTP works**

HTTP provides users a way by distributing hypertext messages between servers and clients to interact. HTTP clients generally use Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection to communicate with servers.

HTTP uses various tasks to be performed by request methods which are enlisted as below –
More info here: [[CRUD operations on REST APIs]]

-   GET = Requests a specific source in its entirety.
-   HEAD = A specific resource with no body content.
-   POST = Adds articles, messages and information to another page under an existing web resource.
-   PUT = Directly modifies a current web source and creates a new URL if need be.
-   DELETE = Eliminates a specified source.
-   TRACE = Shows users any modifications or additions made to an internet resource.
-   OPTIONS = Show user’s which HTTP methods are available for a particular URL.
-   CONNECT = Transforms the requested link.
-   PATCH = Partially modifies an internet resource HTTP servers use the GET and HEAD methods.

**Related –** _**[FTP vs HTTP](https://networkinterview.com/ftp-vs-http/)**_