Whenever you open a website, your browser talks to a server to get the data it needs. This includes the web page, images, videos, and other files. The rules for this conversation are defined by a system called HTTP, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol.
You might have heard of HTTP. But there are newer versions called HTTP2 and HTTP3. They are faster, more secure, and more efficient. In this article, we will explain what they are, when they were released, and how they are used, in a simple way.
A Quick History of HTTP
The original HTTP, now called HTTP1.1, was released in 1997. It works like a simple question-and-answer system. Your browser asks the server for a file, and the server sends it back.
Problem with HTTP1.1:
Every time your browser requests a new file, like an image or a script, it opens a new connection to the server. For websites with many files, this can take a long time and make pages load slowly.
HTTP1.1 is still used today, but modern websites prefer HTTP2 or HTTP3 because they are faster and more efficient.
HTTP2 – Making Websites Faster
HTTP2 was released in 2015. It fixes the problems of HTTP1.1 and makes the web faster.
Main Features of HTTP2:
1. Multiplexing
Multiple files can be sent at the same time over one connection. Your browser no longer needs to open a new connection for every file.
2. Header Compression
HTTP requests have headers, which are like extra information about the request. HTTP2 compresses these headers to save space and reduce the amount of data sent.
3. Server Push
The server can send files your browser will need before your browser even asks for them. For example, when you request an HTML page, the server can also send CSS and JavaScript files automatically.
Where HTTP2 is used:
- Supported by most modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
- Used by major websites like Google, GitHub, and Facebook.
- Works best with HTTPS, which means secure connections.
HTTP3 – Faster on Mobile and Slow Networks
HTTP2 is faster than HTTP1.1, but it still uses TCP, the protocol that ensures data arrives in order. TCP is reliable but can slow things down if the network is slow or unstable.
HTTP3 was released in 2020. It uses a new technology called QUIC instead of TCP. QUIC is faster because it does not wait for every piece of data to arrive in order before moving forward.
Main Benefits of HTTP3:
1. Fast Connection Setup
QUIC can start the connection between browser and server faster than TCP. This means the page starts loading sooner.
2. Better Performance on Slow Networks
On mobile networks or Wi-Fi with interference, TCP can be slow if some data is lost. QUIC continues sending data without waiting, so pages load more smoothly.
3. Built-in Security
QUIC has encryption built-in, so HTTP3 is always secure without extra steps.
Where HTTP3 is used:
- Supported by Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
- Used by major websites like YouTube, Google, Facebook, and Cloudflare.
- Especially helpful for mobile users or people on slow internet.
Other Important Concepts
When learning about HTTP2 and HTTP3, you may hear these terms:
TLS
Transport Layer Security is the technology that makes HTTPS secure. It encrypts data between your browser and the server. HTTP2 and HTTP3 work best with TLS.
Latency and Round Trips
Latency is the time it takes for data to go from your browser to the server and back. A round trip is one complete journey. HTTP2 and HTTP3 try to reduce the number of round trips to load pages faster.
CDNs
Content Delivery Networks are servers located around the world. They store copies of websites so users can get content from a server near them. HTTP2 and HTTP3 work well with CDNs to make websites faster.
Caching
Caching stores copies of files so the browser or servers do not have to download them again. This speeds up loading and works with HTTP2 and HTTP3 for better performance.
Why It Matters
For developers, knowing these protocols is important because they affect how fast websites load and how many users your server can handle. Faster websites improve user experience and reduce bounce rates.
HTTP2 and HTTP3 make the web faster, more reliable, and secure. HTTP2 works well for most modern websites today, while HTTP3 is especially useful for mobile users and slow networks. Knowing when each protocol was released, where it is used, and its advantages helps you make better decisions when building or optimizing websites.
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