Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
The language of the World Wide Web.
## Beyond Simple Requests
Modern HTTP involves complex negotiation. Content Negotiation allows a server to provide different versions of a resource (e.g., WebP vs. JPEG) based on what the browser supports. HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) is a security header that forces browsers to only use HTTPS, preventing downgrade attacks. The rise of HTTP/3 is currently transforming mobile performance by making connections much more resilient to network switching and intermittent loss.
graph LR
Center["Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)"]:::main
Pre_tcp_ip["tcp-ip"]:::pre --> Center
click Pre_tcp_ip "/terms/tcp-ip"
Pre_dns["dns"]:::pre --> Center
click Pre_dns "/terms/dns"
Center --> Child_rest_apis["rest-apis"]:::child
click Child_rest_apis "/terms/rest-apis"
Rel_web_sockets["web-sockets"]:::related -.-> Center
click Rel_web_sockets "/terms/web-sockets"
Rel_css3["css3"]:::related -.-> Center
click Rel_css3 "/terms/css3"
Rel_schema_org["schema-org"]:::related -.-> Center
click Rel_schema_org "/terms/schema-org"
classDef main fill:#7c3aed,stroke:#8b5cf6,stroke-width:2px,color:white,font-weight:bold,rx:5,ry:5;
classDef pre fill:#0f172a,stroke:#3b82f6,color:#94a3b8,rx:5,ry:5;
classDef child fill:#0f172a,stroke:#10b981,color:#94a3b8,rx:5,ry:5;
classDef related fill:#0f172a,stroke:#8b5cf6,stroke-dasharray: 5 5,color:#94a3b8,rx:5,ry:5;
linkStyle default stroke:#4b5563,stroke-width:2px;
🧒 Explain Like I'm 5
HTTP is the language your web browser (like Chrome) uses to ask websites to show you pictures and text. It's like sending a letter asking for a page, and the website mailing it back.
🤓 Expert Deep Dive
## Beyond Simple Requests
Modern HTTP involves complex negotiation. Content Negotiation allows a server to provide different versions of a resource (e.g., WebP vs. JPEG) based on what the browser supports. HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) is a security header that forces browsers to only use HTTPS, preventing downgrade attacks. The rise of HTTP/3 is currently transforming mobile performance by making connections much more resilient to network switching and intermittent loss.