HTTP

__** What Is HTTP? **__ The hypertext transfer protocol is a networking protocol for distributed, collaborative and hypermedia information systems. HTTP is basically the foundation of data communication on The World Wide Web.

HTTP functions as a request - response protocol in the client server computing model, In HTTP, a web browser; It acts as a client while an application running on a computer hosting a web site functions as a sever. The client submits an HTTP request message to the server. The server, which stores content, or provides //resources//, such as HTML files, or performs other functions on behalf of the client, returns a response message to the client. A response contains completion status information about the request and may contain any content requested by the client in its message body.

An HTTP client initiates a request by establishing a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection to a particular port on a server (typically port 80 Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP for short) is an internet protocol used by the World Wide Web. HTTP defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, and what Actions Web servers and browsers should take in response to various commands. For example, when you enter a URL in your browser, this actually sends an HTTP Command to the Web server directing it to fetch and transmit the requested Web page.

HTTP is called a stateless protocol because each command is executed independently, without any knowledge of the commands that came before it. This is the main reason that it is difficult to implement Web sites that react intelligently to user input. This shortcoming of HTTP is being addressed in a number of new technologies, including ActiveX, Java, JavaScript and cookies - these are only some of the new technologies that are being made today.

HTTP proxy servers at network boundaries facilitate communication when clients without a globally routable address are located in private networks by relaying the requests and responses between clients and servers.

The HTTP protocol is also designed to permit intermediate network elements to improve or enable communications between clients and servers.

__** What Is HTTPS? **__ A HTTPS (Hyper text transfer protocol secure) is a secure connection type of the 'Hyper Text Transfer Protocol'. HTTPS is used when a secure connection is vital e.g. When making an online transaction, Online banking or even logging into a social networking site liek Facebook or Twitter. When a user connects to a website via HTTPS, the website encrypts the session with a digital certificate. A user can tell if they are connected to a secure website if the website URL begins with https: //instead of http://