HTTP Protocol

The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the foundational application-layer protocol for data communication on the World Wide Web. It operates on a client-server model, where a client, typically a web browser, sends a request for a resource, such as an HTML page or an image, to a server. The server then processes this request and sends back a response, which contains the requested resource or an error message. As a stateless protocol, each HTTP request is executed independently, forming the fundamental request-response mechanism that enables users to browse and interact with websites.

  1. Introduction to HTTP
    1. Definition and Purpose
      1. What is HTTP
        1. Primary Functions of HTTP
          1. Historical Context and Development
            1. Origins at CERN
              1. Tim Berners-Lee's Vision
                1. Evolution Timeline
              2. Role in the World Wide Web
                1. HTTP as Foundation of Web Communication
                  1. Relationship with HTML
                    1. Relationship with Web Browsers
                      1. HTTP and Web Servers
                        1. Integration with Other Web Technologies
                        2. HTTP as Application-Layer Protocol
                          1. OSI Model Overview
                            1. Application Layer Responsibilities
                              1. Position in TCP/IP Stack
                                1. Comparison with Other Application-Layer Protocols
                                  1. FTP
                                    1. SMTP
                                      1. DNS
                                    2. Client-Server Model
                                      1. Overview of Client-Server Architecture
                                        1. Clients (User Agents)
                                          1. Web Browsers
                                            1. Mobile Applications
                                              1. Command-Line Tools
                                                1. API Clients
                                                  1. Web Crawlers
                                                  2. Servers (Origin Servers)
                                                    1. Web Server Software
                                                      1. Hosting and Serving Resources
                                                        1. Server Hardware Considerations
                                                        2. Intermediaries
                                                          1. Proxies
                                                            1. Forward Proxies
                                                              1. Reverse Proxies
                                                                1. Transparent Proxies
                                                                  1. Use Cases for Proxies
                                                                  2. Gateways
                                                                    1. Tunnels
                                                                  3. Resources and Identifiers
                                                                    1. Concept of Resource in HTTP
                                                                      1. Uniform Resource Identifier (URI)
                                                                        1. Structure and Syntax
                                                                          1. URI Schemes
                                                                            1. URI Components
                                                                            2. Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
                                                                              1. Components of URL
                                                                                1. Query Parameters
                                                                                  1. Fragment Identifiers
                                                                                    1. URL Encoding
                                                                                    2. Uniform Resource Name (URN)
                                                                                      1. Purpose and Distinction from URLs

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                                                                                  2. Core Concepts of HTTP