HACKER Q&A
📣 fagnerbrack

Why many server-to-server communication today use HTTP but no HyperText?


HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. It's meant to transfer HyperText between two nodes over a network. If you're not transferring HyperText, then you might as well use another protocol or a mere String-based transfer mechanism. Why do you think everybody uses HTTP for their APIs and server-to-server communication today but you rarely see HyperText in it?

I have a few theories, but I would love to hear more about HN perspective on it.

  👤 cerberusss Accepted Answer ✓
> Might as well use another protocol

But which one?

I've worked on a project where we had the choice and I suggested HTTP, but was outvoted for something custom. In the end, it meant quite a bit of work. And HTTP support is ubiquitous.