Client-Server Model in HTTP
1. Introduction
The Client-Server Model is a foundational concept in the HTTP protocol, whereby a client requests resources from a server, which processes the request and returns the desired data. This model enables web applications to function by distinguishing the roles of client and server.
2. Key Concepts
2.1 Definitions
- Client: A device or application that requests resources from a server.
- Server: A system that processes requests and sends responses back to clients.
- HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): The protocol used for transferring hypertext requests and information on the internet.
2.2 Interaction Flow
The interaction between client and server can be summarized in the following steps:
- Client initiates an HTTP request.
- Request is sent to the server.
- Server processes the request.
- Server sends back an HTTP response.
3. Step-by-Step Process
3.1 Request Creation
The client creates an HTTP request to access a resource:
GET /index.html HTTP/1.1
Host: www.example.com
User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0
Accept: text/html
3.2 Request Transmission
The request is sent over the network to the server via a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection.
3.3 Server Processing
The server processes the request, accessing any necessary data or resources.
3.4 Response Creation
The server creates an HTTP response:
HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Content-Type: text/html
Content-Length: 1234
Example
Hello, World!