File
Transfer Protocol (FTP), a standard Internet protocol, is
the simplest way to exchange files between computers on
the Internet. Like the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP),
which transfers displayable Web pages and related files,
and the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), which transfers
e-mail, FTP is an application protocol that uses the Internet's
TCP/IP protocols. FTP is commonly used to transfer Web page
files from their creator to the computer that acts as their
server for everyone on the Internet. It's also commonly
used to download programs and other files to your computer
from other servers.
As a user, you can use FTP with a simple command line interface
(for example, from the Windows MS-DOS Prompt window) or
with a commercial program that offers a graphical user interface.
Your Web browser can also make FTP requests to download
programs you select from a Web page. Using FTP, you can
also update (delete, rename, move, and copy) files at a
server. You need to logon to an FTP server. However, publicly
available files are easily accessed using anonymous FTP.
Basic
FTP support is usually provided as part of a suite of programs
that come with TCP/IP. However, any FTP client program with
a graphical user interface usually must be downloaded from
the company that makes it.
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