FTP Basic Facts

FTP Basic Facts

• What does FTP stand for?
• And what is it?
• Can I use FTP to exchange files between any pair of computers whatsoever?
• What do "upload" and "download" mean?
• How can I obtain, install, and use a standalone GUI client program for FTP?
• Since my web editor has some FTP component built in, do I really need a separate, standalone, GUI FTP client program in addition?

What does FTP stand for?

File Transfer Protocol

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And what is it?

Several different things can be referred to by the FTP label:

• A protocol: an agreed-upon system of exchanging control signals and data.
• Anonymous FTP: a way of making files available for public download without requiring a login or password.
• Command-line FTP client program, on DOS / Windows / Unix computers.
• Standalone GUI (graphical user interface) FTP client programs. This class of programs is largely what the rest of this FTP module concentrates on. These programs provide the same options and commands as the command-line programs, but are much easier to work with.
• Options or functions built into some other program. Both Dreamweaver and Composer have some form of FTP built in.

(For more detail, see this question on the Facts in Detail page)

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Can I use FTP to exchange files between any pair of computers at all?

No, not in general. The setup is asymmetrical: one side is the client, the other is the server. Client programs are available for Windows, Mac, Unix, and other computers, and are fairly easy for an end-user to obtain and install. Server programs are generally installed by the server administrators. Your client program can connect to another computer only if a server program is running on that other computer.

(For more detail, see this question on the Facts in Detail page)

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What do "upload" and "download" mean?

In an FTP context, you upload files when you transfer them from the computer running the FTP client program, onto the computer running the FTP server program. You download files when you transfer them the other way.

(For more detail, see this question on the Facts in Detail page)

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How can I obtain, install, and use a standalone GUI client program for FTP?

For more extensive and guided answers, see the Installation Activity page and the Uploading Activity page, or wait until your section does these activities. For brief info on doing it yourself now, see this question on the Facts in Detail page.

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Since my web editor has some FTP component built in, do I really need a separate, standalone, GUI FTP client program in addition?

Maybe, maybe not. If your web editor is Composer, the built-in FTP component (known as Publish) does very little, and does that rather inconveniently, so having a separate FTP program is very highly advisable. The FTP component in Dreamweaver (known as the Site window) is quite powerful, and easy to use, so if Dreamweaver is your web editor you probably don't really need a separate FTP program. (Even with Dreamweaver as your usual web editor, there can be some circumstances for which you would benefit from a separate FTP program.)

(For more detail, see this question on the Facts in Detail page)

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