HTTP and Web Protocols

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is the protocol that powers the World Wide Web. It defines how clients (browsers) request resources and how servers respond. Understanding HTTP is essential for anyone working with web applications, APIs, or cloud services.

How HTTP Works

HTTP is a request-response protocol built on top of TCP:

Client (Browser)              Server
       │                         │
       │── HTTP Request ────────>│
       │   GET /index.html       │
       │                         │
       │<── HTTP Response ───────│
       │   200 OK                │
       │   <html>...</html>      │

Key Characteristics

Stateless — Each request is independent; the server does not remember previous requests
Text-based — HTTP/1.1 messages are human-readable
Application layer — Operates at Layer 7 of the OSI model
Port 80 (HTTP) and Port 443 (HTTPS)

HTTP and Web Protocols

HTTP and Web Protocols

How HTTP Works

Key Characteristics

HTTP Methods

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