HTTP Servers
HTTP servers are software applications that handle HTTP requests from clients (like web browsers) and serve responses, typically web pages, APIs, or static files. They manage network connections, process HTTP methods (GET, POST, etc.), and often include features like load balancing, security, and caching. Common examples include Apache HTTP Server, Nginx, and Microsoft IIS, which are essential for hosting websites and web applications.
Developers should learn HTTP servers to deploy and manage web applications, as they are critical for serving content over the internet and handling client-server communication. Use cases include hosting static websites, running dynamic web apps (e.g., with Node.js or Python backends), and setting up reverse proxies for performance and security. Knowledge of HTTP servers is also key for optimizing server configurations, debugging network issues, and ensuring scalability in production environments.