What does HTTP stand for?

HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, which is the foundational protocol used for transmitting data across the internet. It facilitates the retrieval of linked resources and ensures the proper communication between web browsers and servers. When a user enters a web address in a browser, an HTTP request is made to a server, which responds by sending back the requested web page or resource.

Understanding HTTP is crucial as it underpins the functionality of the World Wide Web, enabling the transfer of hypertext documents that may contain text, images, and multimedia. This protocol operates at the application layer of the Internet Protocol Suite and is essential for browsing websites, making it a fundamental concept in computer science and web development.