What Is File Transfer Protocol -(FTP) ?

The File Transfer Protocol is an excellent method to transfer (download and send) files from one computer to the other over the Internet. Though you can transfer files using email, it is not a good choice especially when the file size is large or when you need to transfer several files. The objectives of FTP are to:

• promote file (programs or data) sharing
• efficiently transfer data from one computer to another
• encourage indirect or implicit use of remote computers
• provide a common platform for file storages among different hosts

FTP sites :
FTP sites are storehouses of hundreds to thousands of files - programs, data, music, video etc. In order to upload or download a file from an FTP site, you need to know the login details - the FTP username and FTP password. Once connected, you can transfer files using the binary or ASCII mode. The binary mode is used for binary files like executable programs, music, images, video etc. while the ASCII mode is employed for plain text files such as those created in Notepad, vi etc.
What is anonymous FTP ?
Some universities, government agencies, companies, and private individuals have set up public archives that you may access via FTP, usually in a directory named pub. These sites contain programs, data files, and informational text. You can often find specific directions or information about the site in greeting messages or files with names like README.
You can use an FTP client such as WinSCP for Windows or Cyberduck for Macintosh to connect to an anonymous FTP site, or you can use FTP from the command line in Windows, Mac OS X, or Unix. For more information, including specific commands and more detailed instructions, see What is FTP, and how do I use it to transfer files? Typically you will need to use the username anonymous and an arbitrary password. Most sites will ask you to enter your email address as the password. If your login is successful, you can browse the public directories on the site.
You can also access anonymous FTP sites in your web browser. For example, to connect to the Usenet FAQs maintained at MIT, visit:
  ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/faqs/
Anonymous FTP is a privilege granted by the organization that owns the computer to which you are connecting; be considerate in your usage. Don't transfer files you don't need or an excessive amount of material, and try to restrict your transfers to off-peak hours. Some FTP sites are used very heavily, and you may need patience to connect.
FTP and web sites
The File Transfer Protocol is generally used by web developers to upload web sites to the host - the computer that stores the web site. For example, if you buy a web hosting package, the company would provide you with a username and password with which you'll connect to the FTP server to transfer your files.

FTP is built into the Unix system and can be accessed by typing ftp at the Unix prompt.
FTP is also available in Windows. You need to open an MS-DOS window and type ftp at the Dos prompt. The prompt will change to an FTP prompt. You can open an FTP site with the 'open' command. Type 'quit' to come back to the Dos prompt. To get help, type 'help' or '?' at the FTP prompt. This will list the commands available on your system - check the image below.
To get help on a specific command, type help [Command name] or ? [Command name]. So if you need help with the verbose command, type help verbose or ? verbose.
File Transfer Protocol and the browser
Modern browsers allow you to access sites using FTP. For example, if I need to connect to this web site from Internet Explorer (version 6) on the Windows XP system, I can simply type in ftp://www.webdevelopersnotes.com in the address bar. A login window then pops up (see below), in which I need to type in the username and password to connect to the host. I can then transfer files using the familiar drag-drop method. So one can actually work in the user-friendly environment of the operating system without knowing all the arcane FTP commands! Now isn't that cool?
FTP clients
If you plan to FTP on a regular basis, I suggest you use an FTP Client - a dedicated program for FTP. There are many FTP clients available (and some of them are freeware). The interface of each program varies, but the information required is almost the same. You should know your username and password of the site (if it is not anonymous FTP) and the server address.

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How do I upload my files on my web host?

There are two ways to upload your web site files to hosting server - using a File Manager (or similar) utility provided by the web hosting company or File Transfer Protocol (FTP). The first method is easier but time-consuming while the second is a faster method but needs a little technical knowledge.
    Using the File Manager to upload files to a web hosting server
This method is applicable only if a File Manager (or similar) utility has been provided by your hosting company. The utility is generally located under the Control Panel of your account and so you need to login first. For instance, at my hosting accounts, the File Manager is displayed as an icon along with other utilities in the control panel. The File Manager icon looks like one below.

This method is applicable only if a File Manager (or similar) utility has been provided by your hosting company. The utility is generally located under the Control Panel of your account and so you need to login first. For instance, at my hosting accounts, the File Manager is displayed as an icon along with other utilities in the control panel. The File Manager icon looks like one below.

To use the File Manager, click on its icon. A new window opens and displays the directories at your web hosting account. [Refer image below]

You need to upload all website files to the document root directory which is www or public_html in the image above. Thus, all your website files need to reside in the document root directory.
If you click on the directory name, you get a set of links displayed on the top-right that let you delete, rename, change permission etc. for this directory. [Refer image below]

To view the contents of a directory, you would need to click on the small folder image located in front of the directory name. If I click on the document root directory on my web host, it displays its contents as in the image below.

IMPORTANT: To transfer files to a particular directory, you need to first migrate to it.

To upload files, click on the Upload Files link (refer the above image). This should open a form through which you can select files from your system and upload them on your web hosting server.

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What is web hosting ?

For web sites to be visible to everyone they need to reside on computers that are always connected to the Internet. These computers are commonly referred to as Servers and they host web sites and all other files, such as images, Flash movies, other multimedia content etc. that are associated with the web sites.

Server machines are different from the common desktop/laptop even though the latter is also connected to the net 24/7. The differences lie in the kind of hardware and software installed. Typically, Servers are much more powerful than your home/office desktop and laptops and have specific software. You can read, how is a web hosting Server different from your home/office machine if you want to know more.
Coming back to our topic of what is web hosting; its taking a part of the full hard disk of a Server on rent and placing your web site files on it.
why do  require web hosting? 
To develop a professional web site, you require three things:

1. a domain name;
2. web site hosting;
3. and a web site

Do not confuse web hosting with a domain name or a web site. These are different entities. A domain name is simply a name... that's it! Also, a domain name is not your web site.

When you want to develop a web site for, say, your company, the first step usually is to acquire a domain name. The second step is to get a web site made. You can either create the web site on your own or hire a professional developer to do it. Once the web site files are ready they need to be put on a web hosting server.

And why does the web site need to be on a hosting server instead of your computer? Because even though your computer has 24/7 net connection, the files that reside on it cannot be accesssed by everyone on the web due to the limitations and security features of the machine. You computer also lacks the necessary software for it to behave like a web server. Thus, you need web hosting to make your web site available to all on the Internet.

Let us understand this again. You need to create a web site for your company - what do you do?

First get a domain name. Second, create your web site. Third, put your web site on a computer (Server) for all to see - this is web hosting.

What is a web hosting package?

Typically, web hosting involves purchasing a web hosting package from a reputed and reliable company. This package details the server configurations and the features at your web hosting account. For instance, the web hosting package will tell you how much hard-disk space you have taken on rent, the amount of bandwidth limit you are allowed per month, the software and hardware available to you etc.

How is my domain name linked to the web hosting package?

After purchasing a web hosting package, you need to associate your domain name with the web server, or in other words, point your domain to the hosting server. This involves a little knowledge of domain name management. You can find step-by-step instructions on how to associate your domain name with your web site hosting account.

The final step after successful association of the domain name to the web server, is uploading   the web site files. This process involves copying the files that reside on your system or the computer of the developer you hired to the web site hosting server machine. This process of transfering files is usually done using FTP. Step-by-step instructions for FTP are available on web host.

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