Cracking open HTTP

In Chapter 3, Communication Protocols, we had a section, The application layer, where we looked at why certain protocols fell at that layer. With a little bit more exposure to the nitty-gritty details of network transactions under our belt, I'm hoping it will be easier to distinguish between the transport layer and the application layer. With HTTP, we have the best opportunity to explore that distinction. As a protocol, it has by far the broadest, and most robust, support from out-of-the-box C# libraries. That depth of in-language resources will give us a sharp lens through which to view the distinction between the application layer and its underlying transport layer. So, before we learn how to use HTTP, let's learn just exactly what it is.

The nature of...