File Transfer Protocol (FTP) powers one of the most fundamental Internet functions: the transfer of files between computers. Prior to 1995, FTP generated more traffic on the Internet than any other service. Today, Web developers use FTP protocols to upload/update their web sites and download other information.

A basic understanding about the FTP process and software programs is important for every Web developer. You’ll use to post and modify your Web pages at your Web host’s server.

Terms to know

Let’s review some basic FTP terms.

• Anonymous FTP: Transfers files from the public portion of an FTP server. “Anonymous” means that you don’t have to have an account on the server. In most cases, use anonymous as your user name and your email address as your password.
• Archive: An FTP site that contains a selection of files for download.
• Download: Also called “Get”. Copy a file from an FTP site to another computer. If you’re merely downloading shared files an anonymous account is usually sufficient. However, if you’re downloading Web pages for update, a password and user privileges is usually required.
• FTP site: A Web site that stores files for download. You can access the sites with a Web browser by typing in the address. All FTP site addresses begin with ftp:// (instead of http://).
• Upload: Also called “Put”. Place files on an FTP server. Upload privileges are usually password protected to keep unauthorized users from placing files that could contain viruses or other malicious code on the server.

What Kind of FTP Program Do You Need?

If your Web page editor doesn’t provide an FTP interface or if you code your pages by hand, you can choose from many FTP programs that don’t require extensive UNIX knowledge. They provide a drag-and-drop interface familiar to Windows and Mac users.

WS_FTP is a popular FTP package for PC’s while many Mac users employ FTP programs like Fetch and Anarchie. FTP is platform independent: you can use it to upload files from a Mac to a UNIX server without any trouble.

You may actually have already used FTP and never realized it. If you developed your site in FrontPage, the simple “Publish Web” option posted it using the FrontPage extensions installed with your account on your Web host’s server. If you have FrontPage extensions installed within your site, you should only use FrontPage to send and edit your Web files.

There are three basic ways to use FTP - your choice depends on how you plan to use it.

• FTP using a Web browser. This is most commonly used for anonymous FTP - like downloading software. Always run a current virus scan program on anything you download! No extra software is required.
• FTP using an HTML editor. Many Web page editors bundle this interface into their products. You don’t need to install a separate FTP program.
• FTP using a standalone program. Use this if you’re administering a complex site with CGI programming or if you need to administer file permissions remotely. Very large, complex sites may require commercial FTP packages; otherwise, evaluate the freeware and shareware programs available for download.