What is HTTP?
HTTP is the foundation of how websites work. The full form is HyperText Transfer Protocol. In simple words, HTTP means the method used by your browser to communicate with websites.
This protocol sets the way messaging happens between clients (like your browser) and servers. Whether you’re checking the news or opening an online store, HTTP is part of the process.
What is HTTP used for?
HTTP is used to exchange information on the internet. When you visit a page, your browser builds a request and delivers it to a remote server. That server answers with a response, which might include text, images, or app data.
Alongside the content, the response headers give extra info — such as the type of file, caching rules, or statuses like “200 OK” . The response body contains the actual content requested, like text, images, or application data. This helps web browsers understand how to display the result. HTTP is also used by proxy servers, APIs, and various web applications to move data efficiently. This transfer protocol handles response messages between nodes, providing access to resources across the web.
HTTP vs. HTTPS: difference between them
The key difference is security. HTTP transfers data in readable form, while HTTPS wraps it in encryption using SSL or TLS. That makes transfers safer, especially when personal details are involved.
Pros & Cons
Benefits:
- Works with most web technologies
- Compatible with different methods and versions
- Easy to test and debug
Drawbacks:
- Lacks built-in protection
- Can expose the request body and cookies without encryption
Examples
- Entering a site that begins with http://
- An API using HTTP to fetch product info
- Viewing web pages in your browser
- Data transfers between apps and servers
- Loading resources through standard network protocols
Some internal tools still rely on plain HTTP instead of encrypted alternatives.