Definition

Noun: A standardized communication protocol used for transmitting hypertext documents, such as web pages, across the internet. It defines the format for messages and the rules for how a client (like a web browser) requests data from a server and how the server responds.

Usage

This term is used in the context of internet technology, web development, and computer networking. It is the foundational protocol for data communication on the World Wide Web. * The website's address begins with http://, indicating it uses the hypertext transfer protocol. * For secure transactions, hypertext transfer protocol is often replaced by its encrypted version, HTTPS.

Advanced Usage

• Stateless Protocol: Hypertext transfer protocol is described as a stateless protocol, meaning each request from a client to a server is treated as independent, with no inherent memory of previous requests.
• Request Methods: The protocol defines specific request methods (or "verbs") such as (to retrieve data) and (to submit data).

Variants and Related Words

• HTTP: The ubiquitous acronym for hypertext transfer protocol.
• HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure): An extension of hypertext transfer protocol that uses encryption (TLS/SSL) for secure communication.
• HTTP/2, HTTP/3: Modern, more efficient versions of the hypertext transfer protocol.

Synonyms

• Web protocol
• Application-layer protocol (in the specific context of the web)

Related Phrases

• HTTP request: A message sent by a client using the hypertext transfer protocol to ask a server for a resource.
• HTTP response: The message a server sends back to a client after receiving an hypertext transfer protocol request.
• HTTP status code: A three-digit code in the response that indicates the result of the request (e.g., 200 for success, 404 for not found).

Noun

1. a protocol (utilizing TCP) to transfer hypertext requests and information between servers and browsers