What is HTTP: Web Communication Protocols, Advantages, and Types

What is HTTP? HTTP is the fundamental web communication protocol. Learn the main functions of HTTP, its advantages of simplicity and adaptability, and its types such as HTTP/1.1, HTTPS, HTTP/2, and HTTP/3.

HTTP Definition

HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. HTTP is a communication protocol used to transfer data over the internet. HTTP is the basis of web communication and is used by web browsers to request web pages from web servers.

HTTP has evolved over time with the addition of features and improvements in the specification. The latest version is HTTP/2, which brings improved performance and efficiency to web communications. HTTP is also often used in combination with SSL/TLS (HTTPS) to provide secure communications through data encryption. HTTP is a different protocol from HTTPS. The differences between HTTP and HTTPS can be seen from various aspects ranging from security, identity validation and its impact on SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

HTTP Function

The function of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is to facilitate communication between clients (e.g., web browsers) and servers (e.g., web servers) in a web environment. Some of the main functions of HTTP include:

Requesting and Collecting Data

HTTP allows clients to send requests to web servers to obtain desired data, such as web pages, images, documents, or other files. These requests can be requests to read or write data.

Webpage Delivery

HTTP is used to deliver web pages from a web server to a client. When a user accesses a particular URL, the client sends an HTTP request to the server, and the server responds by sending the requested web page to the client.

Data Manipulation

HTTP supports request methods such as POST, PUT, and DELETE, which allow clients to send data to a server or modify existing data on the server. For example, through a POST request, a client can send form data to the server for processing.

Error Handling

HTTP provides various status codes to inform the client about the result of a request. Status codes such as 200 OK, 404 Not Found, 500 Internal Server Error, and others provide information about the success or failure of the request and help in handling errors or problems that occur during communication.

Redirect Handling

HTTP supports redirects, which allow the server to tell the client that the requested data is located in another location. This is useful when a page has moved or its URL has changed.

Header Setup and Delivery

HTTP uses headers to send additional information regarding requests and responses. These headers can be used to convey information about content type, preferred language, cookies, authentication, and more.

Caching

HTTP supports a caching mechanism, which allows a client to store a copy of the data received from the server in its local cache. This allows faster access to the same data if the request is made again in the future.

These functions enable efficient and structured communication between clients and servers in a web environment. HTTP is an important protocol in processing and sending data on the internet.

Advantages and Disadvantages of HTTP

Advantages

Simplicity

HTTP was designed with simplicity in mind. It uses a text format that is easy to understand and readable by humans. This makes it easy for developers to understand, diagnose, and troubleshoot problems in HTTP communications.

Widely Supported

HTTP is a standard protocol that is widely supported by various platforms, operating systems, and devices. This makes it compatible with various applications, software, and hardware available in the market.

Versatility

HTTP can be used for a variety of communication purposes on the web, from simple web page retrieval to file transfer, media streaming, and interaction with other web services. This protocol can be used for a variety of data and content types on the internet.

Disadvantages

Not Secure

HTTP does not provide strong data security by default. All data sent over HTTP can be read by anyone who can monitor the network traffic. This makes it vulnerable to hacking attacks and data interception. For higher security, it is recommended to use HTTPS (HTTP Secure) which uses SSL/TLS encryption layers.

Unreliable on Poor Network Conditions

HTTP is not designed to handle unstable or weak network conditions. If the network connection drops or there is interference, HTTP requests can fail and require the client to re-send the request. This can result in unreliable communication and affect the user experience.

Inefficient for Small Data Changes

HTTP requires a separate request for every small data change on the server. For example, if you only need to update a small part of a web page, HTTP requires retransmitting the entire page. This results in inefficient use of bandwidth.

Also Read : What is HTTPS

Types of HTTP

Here are some of the types that is commonly used:

HTTP/1.0

The earliest version of HTTP, introduced in 1996. This protocol defines basic request methods such as GET and POST. Each request requires a separate connection to complete the request.

HTTP/1.1

A newer version of HTTP, introduced in 1997. HTTP/1.1 provided new features such as persistent connections, pipelining, and virtual hosts. This reduced latency and overhead in HTTP communications.

HTTPS

HTTPS (HTTP Secure) is a variation of HTTP that uses SSL/TLS security layers to encrypt data sent over the network. This provides higher security by preventing data interception and manipulation by third parties.

HTTP/2

A newer version of HTTP, introduced in 2015. HTTP/2 is designed to improve the performance and efficiency of web communications. It uses header compression, multiplexing, and server push techniques to reduce latency and increase data transfer speeds.

HTTP/3

A newer version of HTTP, introduced in 2020. HTTP/3 uses the QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections) transport protocol, which allows for faster and more robust connections. HTTP/3 is designed to improve performance and reliability in unstable network conditions.

WebSocket

WebSocket is a bidirectional communication protocol that enables persistent connections between clients and servers. It enables efficient real-time data exchange between clients and servers, without the need for request-based polling.

In addition, there are also other variations of HTTP developed for specific purposes such as REST (Representational State Transfer), which is used in developing service-based web applications. REST follows the principles of web architecture and uses HTTP as a communication protocol.

Also Read : What is Web Proxy

Function of HTTP Protocol in Internet of Things

In research [1] In the context of the Internet of Things (IoT), the role of the HTTP protocol is very important. Although the IoT protocol is often recognized as another protocol such as MQTT or CoAP for more efficient communication. However, the use of HTTP has some significant implications in security and integration with existing infrastructure. Here is the role of the HTTP protocol in IoT based on the article:

Role of HTTP Protocol in IoT

Integration with existing infrastructure

HTTP protocol can perform easy integration between IoT devices with existing servers, including cloud servers with high computing capabilities. This allows IoT devices to communicate with the system in processing data, even with limited resources (power and size).

Safety and Security

The main drawback in IoT systems is the vulnerability of data security. The HTTP protocol, when implemented with HTTPS (HTTP Secure), can provide an additional layer of security. The use of HTTPS is likened to the use of a digital envelope that encrypts data sent between the device and the server. This protects sensitive data from potential hacking and manipulation.

Authentication and Data Integrity

HTTP can facilitate authentication with the addition of the HTTPS protocol. This ensures that the identities of the sender and recipient are securely verified before data is sent. Authentication is also able to maintain the integrity of the data sent, so that the data received by the server remains intact and is not manipulated.

Performance and Compatibility

While HTTP is known to be less efficient than MQTT or CoAP when it comes to event-oriented IoT communications, it has the advantage of acceptable performance in scenarios where security and integration with existing infrastructure are top priorities. The protocol also supports a wide range of devices and platforms, making it easier to adopt in environments with a wide variety of IoT devices.

Conclusion

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the backbone of web communications, facilitating requests and delivery of data between clients (such as web browsers) and servers. With the evolution of versions such as HTTP/2 and HTTP/3, HTTP has continued to improve its performance and security. While it has the advantages of simplicity and wide adaptability, its weaknesses lie in its inherent security and unreliability under poor network conditions. To improve security, the use of HTTPS is recommended. As such, HTTP remains a crucial foundation of the modern internet for efficient data delivery and management.

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Reference

[1] Insan, I. M., & Samopa, F. (2024). Implementation of Http Security Protocol for Internet of Things Based on Digital Envelope. Procedia Computer Science, 234, 1332-1339. https://www.sciencedirect.com/

Author : Hassan Rizky Putra Sailellah | Editor : Meilina Eka Ayuningtyas

What is HTTP: Web Communication Protocols, Advantages, and Types

HTTP Definition