HTTP

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is a foundational protocol used on the World Wide Web for transmitting web pages from servers to clients, typically browsers. It was developed by Tim Berners-Lee and his team at CERN in the early 1990s, with the first version, HTTP/0.9, released in 1991.

HTTP operates as a request-response protocol in the client-server computing model. A web browser or other client sends an HTTP request to a server, which then responds with the requested resources, such as HTML documents, images, or other types of media. HTTP is stateless, meaning each request from a client to a server is treated as an independent transaction without needing to remember any previous interactions. The protocol has undergone several revisions to improve performance, security, and usability. HTTP/1.0 introduced in 1996 was a significant milestone, followed by HTTP/1.1, which added persistent connections and better caching mechanisms. The most recent versions, HTTP/2 and HTTP/3, focus on reducing latency and improving the speed and reliability of web communications, leveraging technologies like multiplexing and QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections). HTTP's development is overseen by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), ensuring it evolves with the needs of modern Internet usage. Despite the advent of more advanced technologies, HTTP remains the bedrock protocol for web communications, facilitating seamless access to information and services online.