File Transfer Protocol (FTP)


Definition: File Transfer Protocol is a mechanism for moving files between two machines over the Internet. It is invariably referred to as FTP. An FTP site is a collection of documents, software, etc. which Internet users can transfer to their computers using FTP.
: The term anonymous ftp is used to refer to sites where no user id or password is needed to access the files. In other words the users are anonymous.
Discussion: FTP is also commonly used to transfer Web pages from the Webmaster's machine to the Web Server.
: FTP server software is used to make designated directories available for file transfer. Then Internet users with FTP client software can transfer files from these directories to their own computers or vice versa. The FTP server configuration would determine whether anyone can access the directories (known as anonymous access) or whether a user id and password is needed.
More Details (sometimes Technical): Coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions: None yet
Anecdotes: None yet
Links to other sites: http://www.shareware.com - lots of programs you can download from the Internet; http://www.download.com - another database of files you can find on the Internet