HTTP Header
HTTP headers are the name or value pairs that are displayed in the request and response messages of message headers for Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Usually, the header name and the value are separated by a single colon. HTTP headers are an integral part of HTTP requests and responses. In simpler terms, HTTP headers are the code that transfers data between a Web server and a client. HTTP headers are mainly intended for the communication between the server and client in both directions. HTTP headers can be classified into four types such as, HTTP request header, HTTP response header, HTTP general header and HTTP Entity header.
HTTP request header is the one Whenever we type a URL into the address bar and try to access it, our browser sends an HTTP request to the server. The HTTP request header contains information in a text-record form.
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On the other hand HTTP response header, Upon receiving the request header, the Web server will send an HTTP response header back to the client. An HTTP response header includes information in a text-record form that a Web server transmits back to the client’s browser. The response header contains particulars such as the type, date and size of the file sent back by the server, as well as information regarding the server.
Next HTTP General header, These headers contain directives that need to be followed, for both the requester and receiver.
Finally HTTP entity header, These headers include information regarding: Allow (methods supported by the identified resource), Content Encoding, Content Language, Content Location, Content Length, MD-5 (for checking the integrity of the message upon receipt), Content Range, Content Type, When it Expires and When it was last modified.
