ftp vs http: What are the differences?

# Introduction

1. **Data Transfer Method**: FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is used for transferring files between a client and a server, whereas HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is used for transmitting hypertext documents on the web.
2. **Authentication**: FTP requires a username and password for authentication, while HTTP does not provide such a direct authentication method and relies on other mechanisms like cookies or session tokens.
3. **Port Usage**: FTP primarily uses port 21 for communication, with the option to use port 20 for data transfer, while HTTP uses port 80 by default for communication.
4. **Data Transfer Control**: FTP allows for manual control over data transfer, including pausing and resuming downloads, while HTTP does not have built-in mechanisms for such control.
5. **Encryption**: FTP does not inherently encrypt data during transmission, while HTTP can utilize protocols like HTTPS (HTTP Secure) to provide data encryption for secure communication.
6. **Usage**: FTP is commonly used for uploading and downloading files to and from a server, while HTTP is used for browsing web pages and transferring web content.

In Summary, FTP and HTTP differ in data transfer method, authentication, port usage, data transfer control, encryption, and usage.