What does the acronym HTTP stand for?

• A. Hypertext Transfer Protocol
• B. Hyperlink Transfer Protocol
• C. Hypertext Transmission Protocol
• D. Hypertext Transfer Process

Answer: (A)

HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The name captures what the web uses to move information: hypertext refers to the linked documents you browse, Transfer means moving that data between your device and a server, and Protocol indicates there’s a defined set of rules guiding the communication between client and server. The term Hypertext is the standard one for web documents, whereas Hyperlink would refer to the clickable link inside a document, not the communication rule. Transmission and Process aren’t the established terms used for this set of rules, so they don’t fit the acronym. (Note: when you see HTTPS, it’s the same protocol with encryption added for security.)