http vs ftp

ce_neha

hi ,

I want yo know how do http and ftp differ!
Why do we use http?

Please assist.

HTTP and FTP are two different protocols. If you pay attention to the long forms, the difference will be clear to you -

HTTP: Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
FTP: File Transfer Protocol

As the name suggests, HTTP is meant to carry the hyper text over the Internet. That means, HTTP is used to send the web-page information from server to client & vice-versa. If you see, the URL in the browser for this thread, it starts with HTTP. Meaning this page is brought to you by HTTP.

FTP, is different, as it's about transfer of 'files' between server and client. So, if you wish to upload/download files to and from the web-server, you will have to use the FTP.

There are sophisticated clients available for free that let you use the FTP.

Does this help?

Thank you The_Big_K,

But can we have the same server responding to http request and ftp request,or is there any difference in the type of server too?

And does ftp allows transfer of every type of file(image,multimedia etc),except those containing hypertext?

ce_neha

Thank you The_Big_K,

But can we have the same server responding to http request and ftp request,or is there any difference in the type of server too?

And does ftp allows transfer of every type of file(image,multimedia etc),except those containing hypertext?

Yes, FTP can run off the same server. FTP is simply used to put (upload) & get (download) files from the server - and to the best of my knowledge, it can be used to transfer any type of file (image, video, text, script) in binary & ascii mode, including HTML files.

Note that, while using HTTP, the web browser renders the HTML to show the output, whereas in FTP, files are simply installed or downloaded from the server.

Can I add something here. Guys correct me if I am wong.

As Biggi mentioned HTTP and FTP services can both be provided by the same server.

Here is when the Port Numbers come into action. Both these protcols ( HTTP and FTP) both use a diferent port number on your computer to access the server.

A port can be thought of as an access point or inlet/outlet door( in crude analogy) to provide entry to the computer. And each port or group of ports to be more precise has a particular number assigned to it. This number is called the port number and a particular port is identified solely by its port number.

Each set of port numbers is used by a certain type of protocols and programs. and there are around 53,000 or neaarby so port numbers available. ( I cant recollect the exact number).

Thus HTTP being one type of protocol, it uses one particular port number to access the server. The server inturn recognises that a request has been made through this particular port number. Now the server OS will recognise the port number and understand accordingly as to data related to what program needs to be send corresponding to this particular port number.

Note that there is a particular program associated with particular port numbers which are accesed by the system on receiving a request from that port.

So when a request comes in from an HTTP port the server will send he HTML data which when reaches your PC will access the browser program which inturn provide the HTML script to decipher the code and display a webpage on your PC.

Similarly an FTP request uses another port number to access the server. Which understands the different port number and correspondingly sensing the difference, sends the files mentioned in the address header over the connection.
Thus on your PC the OS understands that what is approaching it is a mere file ( any kind) and it only needs to download it and asks you for a location on the HD to do so.

Also a FTP protocol is EXCLUSIVELY used for File Transfer, which speeds up the process of download.

Thanks for the information, Rohan 😀 . You're awesome!

Thanks Buddy 😀, just made an attempt to explain what I knew.

I would like to add 1 more point here.

ftp stores files on your hard disk
while
http stores files in RAM and the data obtained from http used by our browser process to execute it and display the output.

I just have 1 question : Is there any other way to fetch http content except web browser ?

Yes
via telnet also you can fetch content but only in html form

goyal420

Yes
via telnet also you can fetch content but only in html form

how is this done exactly