Definitions for teachers by teachers

FTP

FTP is File Transfer Protocol. Basically, FTP is the file transfer program of choice for the internet. A simpler version lacking and file directory capability is known as TFTP, Trivial File Transfer Protocol. FTP is a client/server protocol for exchanging files with a host computer. FTP allows for the uploading and downloading of files -- with authorized access to the FTP sever. (High-Tech Dictionary) FTP was the dominant method of exchanging files on the internet before the advent of HTML.

How Would I Use FTP? Most users employ FTP clients when they download files while using an Internet browser like Netscape and Explorer. The FTP clients are built in. There are many third party FTP clients that work on the download side only such as GET RIGHT that offer many configurable features not found in browser FTP clients. A host of configurable FTP clients such as CUTE FTP for PCs and ANARCHIE for he MAC are available. These FTP programs allow users to point the FTP client at a server allowing for web files to be uploaded to a web sever. (Many high-end web editors like Dreamweaver and Go Live have built-in FTP Clients)

Another popular feature of FTP is anonymous FTP. Large universities and governments have huge repositories of files that the public is allowed to log in to as a "guest". Many third party FTP clients (see above) contain bookmarks to these public and government anonymous FTP sites.

by Paul Smith

FTP

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. This Internet protocol is used to copy files between computers, usually a client and an archive site. It is a bit slow and doesn't support compression. It allows you to download shareware or freeware applications without knowing the complexities of Unix. It is an application layer protocol that uses TCP and Telnet protocols. FTP is designed to transfer entire files only, in bulk. It does not provide the capability to transfer a portion of a file or records within a file. It can transfer binary files and ASCII text files.

CNET Glossary -http://coverage.cnet.com/Resources/Info/Glossary/

IBM Dictionary of Computing - http://www.networking.ibm.com/nsg/Gatmst10.htm#SPTGLT-FILE-TRANSFER-PR

A guide to Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Michael J. Palmer, Course Technology, 1998

by Gloria Henke

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