FTP (File Transfer Protocol), a standard Internet protocol, is the simplest way to exchange files among computers on the Internet. Similar with the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), that transfers displayable Web pages and associated files, FTP is an application protocol which uses the Internet's TCP/IP protocols. Commonly FTP is used to transfer Web page files from their creator to the computer which acts as their server for everyone on the Internet. Commonly it's also used to downloading programs & other files to the computer from other servers. Though, for such transfer you required an account name on a host and the password. The FTP program will make connection to the remote host that will help you to browse its directories & mark files for transfer. Though, you cannot look at the contents of a file whereas you are connected via FTP. You need to transfer the copy and then look at it once it is on your own account.

FTP comprises many commands although only few are used to retrieve a file. A user has to understand the three fundamental commands to connect to remote computer, retrieve copy of file & exit the FTP program. The commands with their meanings are following:

Command                 Purpose

Open                   connect with a remote computer

get                      retrieve a file through the computer

bye                      terminate the connection & leave the FTP program

Transferring a file by FTP requires two participants: an FTP client program & another is FTP server program. The FTP client is the program which we run on our computers. The FTP server is the program which runs on the enormous mainframe somewhere and stores tens thousands of files. It is alike to an online library of files. The FTP client can download (receive) or upload (send) files to the FTP server.  By using Web browser you can download the files although you cannot upload the files. FTP applications will help you in uploading the files to the web sites that you are maintaining.