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FTP
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a part of the suite of TCP/IP programs that allows you to transfer files from a host computer to your computer. There are hundreds of computers connected to the Internet from which you can FTP files for free or at a low cost.
- Overview
- Starting an FTP Session
- FTP Protocol
- FTP Commands
- Locating a File
- Conclusion
- For More Information
Overview
FTP programs select from two methods of transferring a file between computers - text and binary. Text files contain the upper and lower case alphabet, numbers, and symbols that you can type from the keyboard. Compressed files, pictures, sounds, movies are examples of binary files. Text and binary files determine how a file must be accepted by an FTP session.
Starting an FTP Session
Before you begin an FTP session, you'll need an FTP Client program. The FTP client is your gateway to the FTP session. There are a number of FTP clients on the Internet to choose from. Read the documentation from your Web browser to clearly understand what FTP client is right for you.
FTP Protocol
Anonymous is the most common protocol to transfer files. With this protocol,you don't have to be a subscriber of the host computer to transfer information to or from an FTP site. You'll have access to many software packages, graphic files, and much more. When logging into an anonymous FTP site, enter Anonymous for the username and your e-mail address as the password.
FTP Commands
You can learn the common FTP commands here.
Locating a File
Archie is a database were you'll find listings of files from different FTP sites. This database automatically gathers, indexes, and maintains information. Using this database you can locate thousands of files on many different computer systems. Archie3.0 permits access to a collection of software packages and informational documents located on the Internet. It is a database were you'll find listings of files from different FTP sites. This database automatically gathers, indexes, and maintains information. Using this database you can locate thousands of files on many different computer systems. Archie3.0 permits access to a collection of software packages and informational documents located on the Internet.
Conclusion
Now its your turn to get the answers to the most frequently asked questions, preview a tutorial and visit a newsgroup. These newsgroups provide a forum to help you work through problems with FTP.