HTTP
HyperText Transfer Protocol
ELI5 — The Vibe Check
HTTP is the language your browser uses to ask websites for stuff. You type a URL, your browser shouts 'hey, give me that page!' and the server shouts back 'here it is!' It's like ordering food — you place an order, the kitchen sends back a plate.
Real Talk
HTTP is an application-layer protocol that defines how clients (browsers) and servers communicate. It follows a request-response model where the client sends an HTTP request and the server responds with an HTTP response containing headers and a body.
Show Me The Code
GET /index.html HTTP/1.1
Host: example.com
Accept: text/html
When You'll Hear This
"The API uses HTTP to send data." / "HTTP requests are being blocked by the firewall."
Related Terms
Header
Headers are the metadata attached to HTTP requests and responses — information about the information.
HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure)
HTTPS is HTTP but with a bodyguard. All the data flying between your browser and the website is scrambled so nobody can spy on it.
Request
A request is what your browser (or app) sends to a server when it wants something. 'Give me the homepage.' 'Give me that image.
Response
A response is what the server sends back after receiving a request.
Status Code
An HTTP status code is the server's one-line verdict on your request. 200 means 'perfect, here's what you asked for.' 404 means 'can't find it.