HTTPD

What is HTTPD?

HTTPD stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Daemon. In simpler terms, it’s a program that waits in the background of a web server, ready to respond to any incoming server requests. These requests are expressed using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol, hence the name.

The Apache HTTP Server:

One of the most popular HTTP servers out there is the Apache HTTP Server, often just called Apache. This open-source HTTP server was launched in 1995 and has been the most popular web server on the Internet since April 1996. It’s designed to be run as a standalone daemon process.

The Apache HTTP Server Project aims to provide a secure, efficient, and extensible server that provides HTTP services in sync with the current HTTP standards. The project is to develop and maintain this server for modern operating systems, including UNIX and Windows.

HTTPD and CGI:

Now, you might be wondering, what’s CGI? CGI stands for Common Gateway Interface. It’s a protocol that allows an HTTP server to use an external piece of software to determine how to respond to a request. Instead of simply returning the contents of a static file, the server can deliver dynamic content based on the script provided by CGI.

Many HTTP servers, including Apache, support the CGI protocol. While it’s not necessary to use CGI with Apache HTTPD, the two are often used together when delivering dynamic content.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, HTTPD is a crucial part of how the internet works. It’s the backbone of web servers, waiting patiently in the background to deliver the web pages we request. Whether it’s Apache, IIS, nginx, or any other web server, they all rely on HTTPD to function.

This article helped you understand HTTPD a bit better. Remember, the internet is a vast and complex place, but with a bit of knowledge, it becomes a lot less intimidating!