What is HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)?
Turkish: HTTP
HTTP is the core web communication protocol that defines request-response exchanges between browsers, API clients, and servers.
What Is HTTP?
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is the shared language web clients use to request pages, files, or API responses from servers. When someone enters a URL in a browser, or when a mobile app calls its backend, an HTTP request is usually involved.
An HTTP request contains a method, target URL, headers, and sometimes a body. The server processes it and returns a status code, response headers, and a response body. The protocol is stateless, so each request is evaluated on its own. Session, identity, and preference data are usually carried through cookies, tokens, or server-side session storage.
How HTTP Works
- Client: A browser, mobile app, backend service, or API tool.
- Method: GET reads data, POST starts an operation, PUT/PATCH update resources, and DELETE removes them.
- Headers: Extra information such as content type, authorization, cache policy, and language.
- Status code: Standard result signals such as 200, 301, 404, or 500.
Business Use
HTTP carries websites, REST-based integrations, payment flows, CDN caching, and webhook calls. On an e-commerce site, both product images and payment API requests travel over HTTP; the difference is in the method, headers, payload, and security layer.
Flows involving privacy or authentication should use HTTPS. In resource-oriented API design, HTTP methods and status codes define much of the behavior expected from a REST API.
Related Terms
Content negotiation lets an HTTP client request a preferred representation, such as JSON or HTML, while the server selects the best match.
HTTP Status CodesHTTP status codes are three-digit response signals showing whether a request succeeded, was redirected, or failed on the client or server side.
HTTP MethodsHTTP methods are standard verbs that tell a server whether a resource should be read, created, updated, partially changed, or deleted.
HTTP/2HTTP/2 speeds up web pages and API responses by using multiple streams and compressed headers over a single connection.
HTTP/3HTTP/3 runs HTTP semantics over QUIC and UDP, reducing connection setup time and limiting the impact of packet loss.
HTTPS (HTTP Secure)HTTPS encrypts HTTP traffic with TLS, providing confidentiality, integrity, and server identity between user, browser, and server.
REST APIA REST API designs web services around resources and HTTP methods, making integrations predictable across web and mobile systems.
TCP/IPTCP/IP is the protocol suite that defines addressing, packet routing, and reliable data transfer across internet-connected networks.