HTTP Header

An HTTP header is metadata included in an HTTP request or response. It conveys information like content type, length, encoding, authentication tokens, and caching preferences.

Also known as: Header fields, HTTP metadata.

Comparisons

• HTTP Header vs. HTTP Body : Headers provide metadata, while the body contains the actual content.

• Custom vs. Standard Headers : Standard headers follow predefined formats, while custom headers are user-defined for specific needs.

Pros

• Enhances communication : Specifies data handling preferences.

• Enables authentication : Includes tokens or credentials for secure access.

Cons

• Increased size : Can add overhead to requests and responses.

• Security exposure : Sensitive data in headers can be exploited.

Example

Host: example.com
Authorization: Bearer abc123token
Content-Type: application/json
User-Agent: MyApp/1.0
Accept: application/json

This HTTP request includes headers like Authorization for authentication, Content-Type to indicate JSON data, and User-Agent to identify the client application. These headers help servers process the request appropriately.