Network Protocols

HTTP

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is an application-layer protocol for transmitting hypermedia documents, such as HTML, across the internet. It serves as the foundation for data communication on the World Wide Web, enabling clients (like web browsers) to request resources from servers and receive responses. HTTP operates as a request-response protocol in a client-server computing model, typically using TCP/IP connections.

Also known as: Hypertext Transfer Protocol, http, HTTP/1.1, HTTP/2, HTTP/3

🧊Why learn HTTP?

Developers should learn HTTP because it is essential for building and interacting with web applications, APIs, and services, as it defines how data is formatted and transmitted between clients and servers. It is used in scenarios such as fetching web pages, making API calls in mobile apps, and enabling communication in microservices architectures. Understanding HTTP is crucial for debugging network issues, optimizing performance, and implementing security measures like HTTPS.

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Compare HTTP

HTTP vs Ftp→HTTP vs Websocket→HTTP vs Grpc→

Learning Resources

MDN Web Docs: HTTP

HTTP Fundamentals on freeCodeCamp

HTTP Crash Course on YouTube

HTTP: The Definitive Guide (Book)

Related Tools

Https Rest Api Web Sockets Tcp Ip Web Development

Alternatives to HTTP

Ftp Websocket Grpc

Other Network Protocols

Acme Protocol is a standardized communication protocol used for automated certificate management, primarily for obtaining and renewing SSL/TLS certificates from certificate authorities (CAs). It enables servers and applications to automatically request, validate, and install certificates without manual intervention, streamlining the process of securing web services with HTTPS. The protocol is widely implemented by CAs and tools like Let's Encrypt to support the ACME (Automated Certificate Management Environment) standard.

ActivityPub is an open, decentralized social networking protocol that enables servers to communicate and share social activities, such as posts, likes, and follows, across different platforms. It is a W3C standard that defines a client-to-server API for creating, updating, and deleting content, as well as a server-to-server API for federated interactions between independent servers. This allows users on different social media platforms to interact seamlessly, fostering interoperability in the fediverse.

ActivityPub is a decentralized social networking protocol that enables different social platforms to communicate with each other, allowing users to interact across independent servers. It provides a standardized way for servers to exchange social activities like posts, likes, and follows, forming a federated network where no single entity controls the entire system. This protocol underpins many modern federated social networks, promoting interoperability and user autonomy.

AMQP (Advanced Message Queuing Protocol) is an open standard application layer protocol for message-oriented middleware, enabling reliable, secure, and interoperable messaging between applications. It defines a wire-level protocol for message queuing, routing, and delivery, supporting features like publish/subscribe, request/reply, and point-to-point communication. AMQP is widely used in distributed systems, microservices architectures, and enterprise messaging to decouple components and handle asynchronous communication.

BACnet (Building Automation and Control Networks) is a communication protocol designed specifically for building automation and control systems, such as HVAC, lighting, and security. It enables interoperability between devices from different manufacturers by defining standard data objects, services, and network rules. Developed by ASHRAE, it is widely used in commercial and industrial buildings for efficient management and monitoring.

BACnet (Building Automation and Control Networks) is a communication protocol designed specifically for building automation and control systems, such as HVAC, lighting, and security. It enables interoperability between devices from different manufacturers by standardizing data exchange over various network types, including Ethernet, IP, and serial links. The protocol defines objects, services, and data structures to facilitate monitoring and control of building systems.