HTTP
HTTP
(also Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
HTTP definition
HTTP is an application layer protocol for distributing information between networked devices. On the internet, HTTP serves as a set of rules for web servers to provide browsers with everything they need to display a website on the user’s screen.
HTTP forms the basis of the modern internet and is key to user-friendly online navigation. HTTP operates on a request-response basis — your actions (like clicking a hyperlink) are translated into HTTP requests, prompting the server to send a HTTP response with data required (such as layout and content.)
Real HTTP requests to servers
- GET: obtains the specified resource in its entirety
- HEAD: obtains the specified resource without any body content
- POST: adds content, messages, or data to a new page under an existing resource
- PUT: creates a new resource or replaces the target resource with the data in the request
- DELETE: removes the specified resource
- TRACE: displays changes and additions to a resource
- OPTIONS: displays the HTTP requests available to a specific URL
- CONNECT: starts two-way communications with the requested resource
- PATCH: alters the specified resource in part