Summary

As you can see, HTTP is not terribly complicated. However, it is important. JSPs and servlets are designed to make working with HTTP easier. Although much of the handling of the details isn't immediately visible to you, knowing something about HTTP is useful. Many of the concepts in the coming hours will be clearer to you.

HTTP, like many other Internet protocols, is based on a request-response model. You've seen that the protocol is human-readable and now have an understanding of most of the elements of HTTP headers. You also understand the difference between HTTP GET and POST request methods.

Secure HTTP, or HTTPS, makes it possible to send and receive HTTP over a secure communications channel, so that information is not compromised. Yet, HTTP still operates the same and can be dealt with by JSPs or servlets in the usual way.