The Hypertext Transfer Protocol, a stateless application-layer protocol for transferring hypertext and other resources between clients and servers that underpins the World Wide Web.
Semantic Classification
Content
- HTTP is a request-response application-layer protocol in which a client sends a request specifying a method, target resource and headers, and a server returns a status code, headers and an optional body. It is stateless by design, with each request handled independently, and forms the foundation of communication on the World Wide Web.
- Successive versions have improved performance and security: HTTP/1.1 introduced persistent connections, HTTP/2 added multiplexing over a single connection, and HTTP/3 runs over QUIC to reduce latency. HTTP underpins RESTful APIs and most web traffic.