Overview of HTTP Protocol Characteristics
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is a widely used network protocol defining the format and specifications for information exchange between clients and servers. Its core characteristics include:
- Client-Server Model: Follows a classic request-response pattern.
- Stateless: The protocol itself does not maintain state, though state can be managed using mechanisms like Cookies and Sessions. It supports any data type via the
Content-Typeheader. - Connectionless: Traditionally closes the connection after each request (though HTTP/1.1 introduced persistent connections by default).
- Extensible: Functionality can be extended via HTTP headers, new status codes, or custom request methods.
- Reliable Transport: Built on TCP/IP, ensuring reliable data delivery.