What is the Difference Between WWW and HTTP?

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The main difference between HTTP and WWW lies in their purpose and functionality:

  • HTTP: Stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It is the standard protocol used for communication between web browsers and website servers, enabling the transfer of data from one machine to another. HTTP is an inherent part of all website URLs and is essential for browsing the internet.
  • WWW: Stands for World Wide Web. It refers to the set of linked hypertext documents that can be viewed on a web browser, such as Google Chrome or Firefox. WWW is mostly used as a prefix in website URLs, and it holds a historical significance as it was present at the inception of the internet.

Both HTTP and WWW are used in website URLs, but they serve different purposes. HTTP is the protocol that enables communication online, while WWW is the collection of linked documents that form the web.

Comparative Table: WWW vs HTTP

The main difference between WWW and HTTP is that they refer to different concepts. HTTP is the protocol that enables communication online, transferring data from one machine to another. WWW, on the other hand, stands for World Wide Web and is mostly used as a prefix in website URLs. Here is a table comparing the differences:

HTTP WWW
Protocol used for transmitting and receiving information across the internet Subdomain, such as maps.google.com or login.yahoo.com, used in website URLs
Enables communication between web browsers and website servers Indicates that a website uses HTTP to communicate
More secure version available: HTTPS, which has SSL certificates for secure connections The www subdomain is not necessary, and its usage does not affect SEO rankings

In summary, HTTP is the language used by web browsers and servers to communicate, while WWW is a subdomain that indicates the use of the HTTP protocol. WWW is not necessary for a website to function, and its presence or absence does not impact SEO rankings.