HTTP

Short for HyperText Transfer Protocol, HTTP is a set of standards that allow users of the World Wide Web to exchange information found on web pages. When wanting to access any web page enter http:// in front of the web address, which tells the browser to communicate over HTTP. For example, the full URL for Computer Hope is http://www.computerhope.com. Today's modern browsers no longer require HTTP in front of the URL since it is the default method of communication. However, it is still used in browsers because of the need to access other protocols such as FTP through the browser. Below are a few of the major facts on HTTP.

  • The term HTTP was coined by Ted Nelson.
  • HTTP commonly utilizes port 80, 8008, or 8080.
  • HTTP/0.9 was the first version of the HTTP and was introduced in 1991.
  • HTTP/1.0 is specified in RFC 1945 and introduced in 1996.
  • HTTP/1.1 is specified in RFC 2616 and officially released in January 1997.

HTTPS

Short for Hypertext Transfer Protocol over Secure, HTTPS is a secure method of accessing or sending information across a web page. All data sent over HTTPS is encrypted before it is sent, this prevents anyone from understanding that information if intercepted. Because data is encrypted over HTTPS, it is slower than HTTP, which is why HTTPS is only used when requiring login information or with pages that contain sensitive information such as an online bank web page.

  • HTTPS uses port 443 to transfer its information.
  • HTTPS is first used in HTTP/1.1 and is defined in RFC 2616.

Tip How to protect yourself and verify Internet data is secure while online.

Other related RFCs of interest

  • RFC 2068

HTTP status codes

Below is a listing of HTTP status codes currently defined by Computer Hope. These codes enable a client accessing another computer or device over HTTP to know how to proceed or not proceed.

HTTP/1.1HTTP/1.0 & 1.1HTTP/1.0 & 1.1
100
101		200
201
202
204
206
301
302
304
400
401		402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
413
414
416
500
501
503
505

Also see: Apache server, Domain, FTP, Internet, Internet definitions, Port, Protocol, Security definitions, SSL, URL, Web page, World Wide Web