What does HTTP stand for in the context of web technology?

The term HTTP is an acronym for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. This protocol is foundational to web technology, as it facilitates communication between web clients (like browsers) and servers. HTTP defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, and how web servers and browsers should respond to various commands.

Hypertext refers to text displayed on a computer or other electronic device that contains links to other texts, making it possible to navigate the web through hyperlinks. The "transfer" aspect emphasizes the protocol's role in transferring data over the internet, specifically web pages, images, and other content types.

Understanding this protocol is crucial as it enables the retrieval of documents on the World Wide Web, thereby allowing users to view web pages, interact with applications, and much more.