HTTP: The protocol browsers and servers use to send requests and responses. It defines methods (like GET and POST) and status codes (like 200 OK, 404 Not Found and 500 Server Error).
Example
Your API returns a 401 status code, which tells you the request wasn’t authenticated.
Why HTTP matters for IT interns
Methods and status codes are the first clues when debugging anything on the web.
Where you will hear it
You will hear this term in development teams, in code reviews and technical discussions, and in technical interviews. If someone uses it and you are not sure what they mean in your project, it is completely fine to ask; every team uses terms a little differently.
Related terms
- Frontend: The part of an application users see and interact with — screens, buttons and forms — usually built with…
- Full Stack: Working on both the frontend and the backend of an application.
- Functional Requirement: What the system should do — a specific feature or behaviour.
- IDE: Integrated Development Environment: the application you write code in, with features like autocomplete,…
- Integration Testing: Testing that different parts of a system work correctly together, such as your API with the real database.
- JSON: A simple text format for structured data, written as keys and values.
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Frequently asked questions
What is HTTP?
The protocol browsers and servers use to send requests and responses. It defines methods (like GET and POST) and status codes (like 200 OK, 404 Not Found and 500 Server Error).
What is an example of HTTP?
Your API returns a 401 status code, which tells you the request wasn’t authenticated.
Why does HTTP matter for IT interns?
Methods and status codes are the first clues when debugging anything on the web.
Explore more internship terms
The IT Internship Glossary explains 199 terms you will hear before and during your internship, with simple definitions and real examples.
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About the author
Dhaivat has 16+ years of experience in the IT industry, working on AI and cloud technologies, project delivery, and engineering leadership. He has interviewed and mentored many interns, wrote The Lost Intern, and runs the non-commercial Career Impact Initiative, mentoring students for free.