All about FTP - File Transfer Protocol?

**shilpa** · 10-09-2008

Hi,
Sorry if i am asking the question in wrong section.
I really want to know what exactly FTP(File Transfer Protocol) is?
Since i was going through this topic & i was unable to understand.
Can anyone help me out?

**Rocco** · 10-09-2008

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the simplest and most secure way to exchange files over the Internet. Whether you know it or not, you most likely use FTP all the time. The most common use for FTP is to download files from the Internet. the ability to transfer files back-and-forth makes FTP essential for anyone creating a Web page. When downloading a file from the Internet you're actually transferring the file to your computer from another computer over the Internet. This is why the T (transfer) is in FTP. You may not know where the computer is that the file is coming from but you most likely know it's URL or Internet address.

Most often, a computer with an FTP address is dedicated to receive an FTP connection. Just as a computer that is setup to host Web pages is referred to as a Web server or Website, a computer dedicated to receiving an FTP connection is referred to as an FTP server or FTP site.

**shilpa** · 10-09-2008

Thanks for the quick reply Rocco that was really helpful to me.
Is there any guide where i can understand the working of FTP?
How can i host my files for people to download? Since from above explanation i can send files to any part of the world right? So what will be neede for this?
Well i am about to open my own website soon.
Thank you