HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) (Linktionary term)

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HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)

Note: Many topics at this site are reduced versions of the text in "The Encyclopedia of Networking and Telecommunications." Search results will not be as extensive as a search of the book's CD-ROM.

The World Wide Web is built on top of the Internet and uses the Internet protocol suite. HTTP is the client/server application-level protocol specifically designed to support hypermedia information systems. Web browsers use HTTP to connect with Web servers and access information on those servers. The protocol sets up a connection between Web browser and Web server, and then manages the exchange of information.

This topic continues in "The Encyclopedia of Networking and Telecommunications" with a discussion of the following:

HTTP developments and versions since HTTP was first developed in 1990
HTTP connection process
HTTP request/response, messaging passing scheme
HTTP secure connections

S-HTTP (Secure HTTP) protocol

Use of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security)

Discussion of RFCs associated with HTTP
HTTP developments

Java, ActiveX, etc.

HTTP extension framework

HTTP state menagement

Hypertext caching protocol

URN (Uniform Resource Name) and Handle System

HTTP Extensions for Distributed Authoring-WEBDAV