FTP

FTP or File Transfer Protocol, is used to transfer files from one computer to another over a TCP/IP based network and allows the files to be manipulated on another computer regardless of the operating system. The objectives of FTP as stated by Wikipedia are as follows:

- To promote the sharing of files

- To encourage indirect or implicit use of remote computers

- To shield a user from variations in file storage systems among different hosts.

- To transfer data reliably and efficiently

While FTP does have its appraisals, it has also incurred a fair share of criticisms. Below are a few of them again as stated by wikipedia:

- Passwords and file contents can be intercepted by eavesdroppers

- while data is being transfered, the control stream sits idle, which poses a problem for larger file downloads because the session times out after lengthy periods of inactiveness.

- while FTP does support the resuming of downloads it is potentially very difficult. One can do this through the REST command.