What is FTP?

FTP stands for "File Transfer Protocall". That is the standard for transfering files between one computer to another.

The internet is based on "HyperText Transfer Protocall", that is the http:// that you see in front of all the www's. If you replace that http with ftp your browser will attempt to access another port on the server. Although the info appears to be the same FTP generally requires an authentication username and password for access.

FTP was the standard for uploading and downloading files to a website. You would build pages on a program in your computer. Then seperate the files into binary files like images and multi media and text files like html pages and data files.

Using another FTP program, you would upload each file into the correct directory on your webserver and be able to serve out your page provided the path info in the html document is correct.

Wait one minute! That sounds a bit complicated.

That is because it is quite complicated. That is why everyone employed expensive webmasters that knew how to use multiple programs to build their website.

Today, companies like BumbleBee Works have built simplified http interfaces that allow the upload and download of files directly into webpages. Making the use of FTP obsolete.

FTP has also died in popularity to programs like Secure File Transfers and sitebuilders that simply publish sites automaticaly.

FTP is dated and has various security flaws mostly related to its popularity and all the hackers trying to breach servers.

In most cases, hosting companies do not even allow FTP ports to be open on web servers. Getting a clients password is relatively easy and once that is achived, the entire server is comprimised.

FTP is something you should know about, but unless you are a expert webmaster or developer you wont likely need it.