Computer History Notes - Herong's Tutorial Notes - v3.13, by Herong Yang
What Is FTP
This section provides a quick introduction of FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to transfer files between remotely connected computers.
What Is FTP? - FTP is a network protocol that allows files to be transferred between remote computers of different operating systems reliably and efficiently. The first version of FTP was created by Abhay Bhushan in 1971 as a RFC (Request For Comments) document: RFC 114 - A File Transfer Protocol.
In RFC 114, several request transactions are defined: Identify, Retrieve, Store, Append, Delete, Rename, Addname, Deletename, Lookup, Open, Close, and Execute.
The first major revision of FTP was presented in RFC 354 in 1972 by Abhay Bhushan. This established 4 objectives of FTP:
- To promote sharing of files (computer programs and/or data).
- To encourage indirect or implicit (via programs) use of remote computers.
- To shield a user from variations in file storage systems among HOSTs.
- To transfer data reliably and efficiently.
Early versions of FTP are based on the NCP (Network Control Protocol) communication protocol.
The first version of FTP based on the modern TCP/IP communication protocol was presented in RFC 765 by Jon Postel in 1980.
The last major revision of FTP was presented in RFC 959 by Jon Postel and Joyce Reynolds in 1985.
The picture below shows the top part of RFC 114 - A File Transfer Protocol:
Table of Contents
2002 - .NET Framework Developed by Microsoft
1995 - PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor Created by Rasmus Lerdorf
1995 - Java Language Developed by Sun Microsystems
1991 - WWW (World Wide Web) Developed by Tim Berners-Lee
1991 - Gopher Protocol Created by a University of Minnesota Team
1984 - X Window System Developed a MIT Team
1984 - Macintosh Developed by Apple Inc.
1983 - "Sendmail" Mail Transfer Agent Developed by Eric Allman
1979 - The Tcsh (TENEX C Shell) Developed by Ken Greer
1978 - Bash (Bourne-Again Shell) Developed by Brian Fox
1978 - The C Shell Developed by Bill Joy
1977 - The Bourne Shell Developed by Stephen Bourne
1977 - Apple II Designed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak
1976 - vi Text Editor Developed by Bill Joy
1974 - Internet by Vinton Cerf
1972 - C Language Developed by Dennis Ritchie
►1971 - FTP Protocol Created by Abhay Bhushan
FTP Client Program Standard Commands
1970 - UNIX Operating System Developed by AT&T Bell Labs