From a URL to a response
What HTTP does
Understand the simple request and response convention that lets browsers, servers, command-line tools, and APIs communicate.
HTTP is the language clients and servers use to exchange messages on the Web.
A client sends a request. A server handles it and sends a response.
client -- request --> server
client <-- response -- serverYour browser is an HTTP client, but it is not the only one. curl, mobile apps, search-engine crawlers, and servers can all make HTTP requests.
HTTP does not decide how a server builds its response. The server might read a file, query a database, call another service, or calculate a value. HTTP only gives both sides a predictable message format.
This separation is important. You can replace the browser, server language, or database without changing the basic request and response cycle.
Lesson completed