HTTP File Transfer

What Does HTTP File Transfer Mean?

An HTTP file transfer is the process of transferring a file between multiple nodes/devices using the HTTP protocol, or more generally, the Internet.

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It is one of the most commonly used methods for sending, receiving or exchanging data and files over the Internet or a TCP/IP-based network.

Techopedia Explains HTTP File Transfer

HTTP file transfer is typically enabled and managed through a web browser. The browser is responsible for initiating and managing an HTTP connection between the sending and receiving device using HTTP commands. Once the connection is established, the files can be transmitted between devices. A common example of HTTP file transfer is the process of viewing webpages, where HTTP fetches web pages from the remote web server and displays them on the local computer’s browser.

A variant of HTTP file transfer is the HTTPS file transfer that adds encryption and security to the data transmission process.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…