The Hypertext Transfer Protocol 1.1
The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the set of rules for exchanging files on the Web.Recently the HTTP protocol was “upgraded” or expanded. HTTP 1.1 is the name of the latestversion and it is included in Opera 4.0.
Doing more, doing it faster
Who cares that the language of Web communication is changing?You do — Because this version of HTTP provides higher end-user performance. It does moreand it does it faster. This is great for web surfers and especially good for Opera users,because Opera 4.0 has HTTP 1.1.
Prevents eavesdropping of passwords
It is also more secure. HTTP 1.1 is more secure because while you authenticate yourself,it does not allow eavesdropping. This is an important step, increasing security on the web.
Give me something faster
Security is great. I’m glad my passwords aren’t being passed around. Yes, and Operais very secure (we’ll save that for another time). But, give me something that increasesmy document-loading rate and I’m one seriously happy camper. That’s why I love Opera,and Opera with HTTP 1.1 is even faster.
HTTP 1.1 is faster because it allows persistent connections. Persistent connectionsbenefit networks and end-users. HTTP 1.1 increases performance by allowing persistentconnections; pipelining, caching, and IP address preservation.
benefiting the Internet population
Network advantages are definitely a bonus to the population as a whole. By decreasingthe burden on the Internet, HTTP 1.1 releases resources serving everyone more efficiently.Resources like routers, hosts, servers, proxies, gateways, tunnels or caches and memory.
Directly benefiting the user (me)
I may be selfish but I personally like the bonuses that directly benefit me. HTTP 1.1has them. Http 1.1 increases my page loading speed. The increases you and I see are throughitems like pipelining, chunking and caching. They’re also really cool words. They even sound faster.
Pipelining allows Opera to make multiple requests without waiting for an answer.Basically it is the difference between calling someone multiple times asking for differentitems versus calling once with a list. A list is obviously more efficient!
Chunking is the splitting up of documents. Once chunked the document can be sent overa persistent connection through a pipeline. Each chunk is a known length so by splittingup the document in chunks even documents that have no known length can be sent.
headers used for cache verification have been expanded
There is more cache control. Opera is served more details. These details expand the cachingcapabilities because they allow more information to be held. Information like how old a documentis, how long before it should be refreshed, or if it should be checked every time. With theseabilities the efficiency of caching is increased, serving the user (you and me) better.
HTTP 1.1 Under the Hood
HTTP 1.1 has furthered the speed of Opera. Opera is serving you documents faster, and withHTTP 1.1 increasing the general efficiency of the Web. It is relieving congestion andutilizing better methods of caching. Additionally, it is providing a little extra securitywhen sending your passwords. HTTP 1.1 is a great item to have under the hood in Opera 4.0.