Difference between FTP and HTTP

HTTP and FTP both are the basic file transfer protocols that are used to transfer data between the client and the server. HTTP function is similar to the combined functioning of FTP and SMTP. FTP is a protocol that sorts the problem when communication between a client and server has a different configuration. Thus, HTTP and FTP both allow for secure file transmission across all communication. 

The basic point that distinguishes  HTTP and FTP is that HTTP on request provides a web page from a web server to a web browser, on the other hand, FTP is used to upload or download files between basically client and server. Let us the basic difference between FTP and HTTP are given below.

FTP :

• FTP stands for file transfer protocol.
• FTP is comparatively simple.
• TCP ports no 20 and 21.
• RFC959, rfc756, RFC1738.
• Used to transfer files from a remote computer after the connection is established.
• 2-way communication system where upload and download of files from the client to the server can occur.
• FTP is slower than HTTP.
• FTP is used to access and transfer files.
• FTP can be accessed via the command line or a GUI.
• FTP requires a username and password for authentication.
• FTP is better suited for large files.
• Web clients and servers became many complexes since they need to support many protocols, scripting languages, file types, etc. Complexity is also a security problem.
• With FTP the user, see's the directory structure on the server.

HTTP :

• HTTPS stands for hypertext transfer protocol.
• TCP port no 80 and 8080.
• RFC2616, RFC7230, and RFC7231.
• HTTP is used to transfer web pages from a remote server after an internet connection is established.
• 1-way communication system where content including pictures and texts can be transferred from server to client.
• HTTP is faster than FTP protocol when downloading one big file. So HTTP can use parallel chunk download which makes it 6x times faster than FTP.
• HTTP is used to view websites, The common HTTP client is the browser.
• Most widely used HTTP does not require a username and password for authentication.
• HTTP is better suited for transferring small files.
• Through the use of hyperlinks, the directory structure on the server may be hidden to the user.

Difference between FTP and HTTP :

• The basic difference between FTP and HTTP  is that HTTP is used to access different websites on the internet while FTP is used to transfer files from one host to another. Most people use HTTP while only a few people use FTP, mostly people who maintain websites.
• HTTP is used to view websites while FTP is used to access and transfer files.
• The common HTTP client is the browser while FTP can be accessed via the command line or a graphical client of its own.
• Downloading files can be either via HTTP or FTP.
• HTTP uses TCP port number 80 whereas FTP uses TCP port numbers 20 and 21.
• HTTP establishes data connection only whereas the FTP establishes data as well as the control connection.
• HTTP is efficient to transfer smaller files like web pages while FTP is efficient to transfer for large files.
• In case you are using HTTP, HTTP appears in the URL of the websites and if you are using FTP, FTP appears in your URL.
• HTTP does not require authentication while FTP uses the password for authentication
• Web pages or data content transferred to the device using HTTP are not saved in the memory of that device whereas the data delivered to a device using FTP is saved in the memory of the device.
• FTP is slowly being replaced by other protocols, and HTTP will remain for the foreseeable future.
• 
  

Conclusion :

HTTP is older and is being replaced with new protocols whereas the HTTP will be there in the near future.

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