File
Transfer Protocol (FTP), a standard Internet protocol, is the simplest way to
exchange files between computers on the Internet. Like the Hypertext Transfer
Protocol (HTTP), which transfers displayable Web pages and related files, and
the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), which transfers e-mail, FTP is an
application protocol that uses the Internet's TCP/IP protocols. FTP is commonly
used to transfer Web page files from their creator to the computer that acts as
their server for everyone on the Internet. It's also commonly used to download
programs and other files to your computer from other servers.
As a user, you
can use FTP with a simple command line interface (for example, from the Windows
MS-DOS Prompt window) or with a commercial program that offers a graphical user
interface. Your Web browser can also make FTP requests to download programs you
select from a Web page. Using FTP, you can also update (delete, rename, move,
and copy) files at a server. You need to logon to an FTP server. However,
publicly available files are easily accessed using anonymous FTP.
Basic FTP
support is usually provided as part of a suite of programs that come with
TCP/IP. However, any FTP client program with a graphical user interface usually
must be downloaded from the company that makes it.