HTTP, the web conversation

New idea

The web is a conversation

Every time you open a page, your browser and a website's computer talk. It is a strict, polite conversation, with one side asking and the other answering.

The browser is the client. It sends a request, such as GET /about, which means "please give me the page called /about". The request travels in packets to the IP address that DNS gave you.

The website's computer is the server. It sends back a response with the content, such as the page itself, or a message saying why it couldn't.

The rules for this conversation are called HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol). Both sides follow it so they understand each other.