Simple understanding of HTTP protocol

As we all know, the basic protocol of Internet is TCP/IP protocol, currently widely used FTP, Archie gopher and so on is based on TCP/IP Protocol Application layer protocol, different protocols correspond to different applications.

The main protocol used by WWW Server is HTTP protocol, that is, hyper-stylistic transfer protocol. Because the HTTP protocol supports services that are not limited to WWW or other services, the HTTP protocol allows users to access different services under a unified interface, such as FTP, Archie, SMTP, NNTP, and so on. In addition, the HTTP protocol can also be used for name servers and distributed object management.

HTTP is an object-oriented protocol belonging to the application layer, which is suitable for distributed hypermedia information System because of its simple and fast way. It was proposed in 1990, after several years of use and development, has been continuously improved and expanded. Currently used in the WWW is the sixth edition of Http/1.0, http/1.1 is in progress, and Http-ng (Next Generation of HTTP) has been proposed.

The main features of the HTTP protocol can be summarized as follows:

1. Support client/server mode.

2. Simple and quick: When a client requests a service from a server, it simply transmits the request method and path. The request method commonly has, POST. Each method prescribes a different type of customer contact with the server. Because the HTTP protocol is simple, the HTTP server's program is small, so the communication speed is very fast.

3. Flexible: HTTP allows the transfer of any type of data object. The type being transferred is marked by Content-type.

4. No connection: The implication of no connection is to limit the processing of only one request per connection. When the server finishes processing the customer's request and receives a reply from the customer, the connection is disconnected. In this way, the transmission time can be saved.

5. Stateless: The HTTP protocol is a stateless protocol. Stateless means that the protocol has no memory capability for transaction processing. A lack of status means that if the preceding information is required for subsequent processing, it must be retransmission, which may result in an increase in the amount of data transmitted per connection. On the other hand, it responds faster when the server does not need prior information.

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