The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is used primarily to transfer data between servers and clients in hypertext/hypermedia environments.

HTTP is built upon a request/response model. An HTTP client or its agent, often a Web browser, connects to an HTTP server by using a URL, and requests a resource, such as an HTML document. MIME is then used to encapsulate the requested data, and the data is sent back to the client.

Traditionally, HTTP clients and servers communicate over TCP/IP using port 80, the default TCP port assigned to HTTP. However, different ports can be used if the port is specified in the URL. In addition, HTTP can be used with other reliable protocols.

HTTP is maintained by the World Wide Web (W3C) Consortium.

For information on HTTP, see Hypertext Transfer Protocol Version 1.x .

For Microsoft licensing information, see Published Protocols and Royalty-Free License on Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN).