This document provides an overview of the basics of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). It discusses the history and problems that HTTP solved, the TCP/IP model, pillars of HTTP including paths, methods, status codes and headers. It also describes the client-server workflow involving opening a TCP connection, sending requests and reading responses. Key aspects covered include connection management, status codes, methods, headers for authentication, caching, conditionals, cookies, CORS and security. Finally, it notes why HTTP is designed as simple, extensible, stateless but not sessionless, and connection efficient, before concluding with a brief discussion of HTTPS.