HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
Description
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), is a network protocol used to transmit files and other data (collectively called resources) on the World Wide Web, whether they're HTML files, images, query results, or anything else. HTTP defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, and what operations web servers should perform in response to various commands.
Automate Desktop's HTTP action contains activities that are ideal for automating common HTTP operations, such as GET, PUT, POST, DELETE, and more. HTTP requests are sent directly instead of automating a browser to perform such operations. This action also supports Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) protocols, which is a combination of HTTP with the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)/Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol to provide encrypted communication and secure identification of a network web server.
Available activities
The following table briefly describes the available activities for this action:
Activity | Description |
---|---|
HTTP - Clear | Clears a predefined connection from a task. |
HTTP - Define | Creates and stores a predefined connection to share with other HTTP activities. |
HTTP - Delete | Deletes all current representations of the specified data or file on the server. |
HTTP - Get | Retrieves data or a file from the specified server. Optionally, populates a variable with the results and/or creates and populates a dataset with request and response data and other pertinent information about this activity's execution. |
HTTP - Head | Identical to the HTTP GET activity, except the server does not return a message-body in the response. The information contained in the HTTP header in response to an HTTP HEAD request is identical to the information sent in response to a HTTP GET request. |
HTTP - Options | Requests and describes information about the communication options of the specified server. This allows the client to determine the options and/or requirements associated with a resource, or the capabilities of a server, without implying a resource action or initiating a resource retrieval. |
HTTP - Patch | Modifies existing data or a file on the specified server. |
HTTP - Post | Uploads data or a file to the specified server. |
HTTP - Put | Uploads data or a file to the specified server. |
HTTP - Trace | Echoes back the received request, so that a client can see what (if any) changes or additions have been made by intermediate servers. |