hypertext markup language

HTTP is an abbreviation for HyperText Transfer Protocol, whereas HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. Learn About HTTP and HTML are the application-layer protocol that governs data exchange between web servers and clients, while HTML is the markup language used to structure and present content on web pages. HTTP facilitates transmission, whereas HTML defines the content’s format.

When a user enters a URL (e.g., https://networkustad.com/) into a browser, it resolves the domain name to an IP address via a DNS server. The browser then initiates an HTTP or HTTPS connection to the web server, sending a request based on the URL scheme (HTTP for unsecured, HTTPS for secure).

HTTP is a foundational protocol of the World Wide Web, defining how messages are formatted, transmitted, and processed. It specifies client-server interactions, including request methods (e.g., GET, POST, PUT, DELETE), though it has been largely superseded by HTTPS with TLS 1.3 encryption for secure communications as of 2025.

A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is a specific type of URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) that provides a web address with a protocol, domain, and path (e.g., https://networkustad.com/home). While a URI identifies a resource, a URL specifies its location and access method. When entered, the browser resolves the domain (e.g., networkustad.com) to an IP address via DNS.

• Protocol: HTTP
• Server Name: networkustad-a2bb2f.ingress-alpha.ewp.live
• Requested Filename: home

As illustrated in the figure, when entering the URL https://networkustad.com/ in the browser, it checks with a name server to convert networkustad.com into a numeric IP address. The browser then issues a GET request to the HTTP server for the resource /home.html. The server processes this request, retrieves the corresponding HTML file, and transmits it back to the browser, which renders it for display using HTML5 features.

HTTP operates as a request/response protocol. When a client sends a request to a web server, HTTP specifies the message type. Common methods include:

• GET: Retrieves data, such as webpages.
• POST: Submits data, like form submissions.
• PUT: Updates resources, such as uploading files.
• DELETE: Removes resources (supported in modern implementations).

HTTP is a powerful protocol, but it lacks security, as it transmits data in plain text, making it vulnerable to interception. HTTPS, utilizing TLS 1.3 encryption (superseding the older SSL standard by 2025), secures data by encrypting requests and responses, authenticating servers, and ensuring data integrity, establishing it as the standard for secure web communication.

HTTPS follows the same client-request, server-response process as HTTP, but the data transmitted between client and server is encrypted with TLS 1.3. This ensures protection against unauthorized access, a critical advancement over HTTP’s unsecured nature.

Conclusion – HTTP and HTML

Understanding the interplay between HTTP and HTML, including their secure counterpart HTTPS is fundamental to grasping how the modern World Wide Web operates as of July 2025. HTTP facilitates efficient data exchange but lacks security, making HTTPS with TLS 1.3 encryption the preferred standard for safe online communication. HTML, enhanced by HTML5, remains the backbone for structuring and displaying dynamic web content. Explore these protocols further on networkustad.com to unlock deeper insights into building and securing robust network applications.