HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) are both network protocols for transferring data from one location to another via the internet. The World Wide Web uses the HTTP protocol, which allows data to be transferred from a web server to a client's web browser for reading web pages on the internet. FTP is a protocol for uploading files from one computer to an FTP server or downloading data from an FTP server to one of the network's computers. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is used to transport files in both of these protocols.

What exactly is HTTP?

According to the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model, HTTP is a Request-Response protocol that operates on the application layer. It explains how HTTP messages are formatted and transmitted, as well as how the server and browser respond to HTTP commands. HTTP is a one-way method that transports files only from the webserver to the client's web browser in order to see the requested web pages. Furthermore, HTTP delivers files to the web browser just for the purpose of viewing the content; they are not saved in the client's machine's memory. Because each HTTP command operates independently of other commands, it is a stateless protocol.

What exactly is FTP?

FTP is a TCP-based protocol for uploading and downloading files between an FTP server and a client machine on a network. As indicated in the OSI model, it operates at the application layer. When you use FTP to transmit a file from one device to another, the entire file is transferred and saved to the device's memory. Furthermore, the FTP protocol permits not only the download of data from a server to a client machine but also the upload of files from a client computer to the server, making FTP a two-way system.

This protocol is frequently used by website developers to upload files from personal computers to websites and to download files from websites to personal computers.

FTP normally employs two ports, one for the FTP server and the other for the FTP client, allowing for huge file transfers.

What's the difference between HTTP and FTP, and what's the advantage of using one over the other?

• Both HTTP and FTP are TCP-based file transfer protocols that are documented in RFCs (Request for Comments).
• HTTP is used to transport web page content from a server to a client's browser, whereas FTP is used to upload and download files between a server and a client. As a result, HTTP is classified as a one-way system, while FTP is classified as a two-way system.
• When a URL begins with HTTP, it indicates that the user is connected to a web server; when the URL begins with FTP, it indicates that the user is connecting to a file server.
• HTTP transfers only the web page content to the web browser for viewing, and the transferred file is not copied to memory; nevertheless, FTP transfers the complete file to the other device, as well as saving it in memory.
• FTP often requires a user login to the server in order to exchange files, but HTTP does not.
• FTP is better for sending huge files, whereas HTTP is better for transmitting tiny items like web pages.