What are web communication protocols?

When the internet was first invented as ARPANET by the US DARPA, its primary use was for military and academic purposes. Back then, the internet was a relatively simple tool, primarily focused on transferring files and sharing static data between computers. Persistent communication—the kind of interaction we take for granted today—was not a priority. This simplicity sufficed for the needs of the time, where most communication was straightforward and centered around basic file exchanges or text-based messages.

Over time, however, the landscape of internet use changed dramatically. Modern applications demand vastly different communication capabilities. For instance:

• Streaming Media: Watching a 4K movie on Netflix or listening to music on Spotify would be impossible if you had to download an entire file before playing it. Instead, these platforms rely on streaming protocols that allow data to be sent and played in real time.

• Online Gaming: First-person shooter games or competitive online games require incredibly low latency—even delays as short as 10 milliseconds can make or break the experience. These scenarios demand communication protocols optimized for speed and responsiveness.

• Real-Time Collaboration: Tools like Google Docs, video conferencing apps, and shared whiteboards require constant back-and-forth communication to synchronize users' actions in real time.

As the needs of internet users evolved, it became clear that no single "silver bullet" protocol could solve all web communication problems. Each category of application—whether it's streaming, gaming, or collaborative tools—has its unique requirements, such as latency, reliability, bandwidth, and security. These diverse requirements led to the development of different web communication protocols, each tailored to specific use cases.

The Evolution of Web Communication

From Simple to Complex

The internet's evolution can be compared to transportation:

• Early internet: Like dirt paths for basic travel
• Modern internet: A complex network of highways, railways, and air routes

Just as we wouldn't use a cargo ship to deliver a pizza, we don't use the same protocols for all types of web communication.

The Key Factors That Drive Protocol Development

1. Latency Requirements: How quickly does data need to arrive?
2. Reliability Needs: Can we tolerate some data loss, or must everything arrive perfectly?
3. Bandwidth Considerations: How much data needs to be transmitted?
4. Security Concerns: How sensitive is the information being shared?
5. Scalability: Will the protocol work for millions of simultaneous users?

Protocol Categories

Web communication protocols generally fall into these categories:

1. Request-Response Protocols: Like HTTP, where the client asks and the server responds
2. Real-Time Protocols: Like WebSockets or WebRTC, where data flows continuously
3. Streaming Protocols: Like RTMP or HLS, optimized for media delivery
4. Messaging Protocols: Like MQTT or AMQP, designed for Internet of Things and messaging applications

Having said all of this, let's move on to our first web communication protocol - and probably something you've heard of before - HTTP.