Network.HTTP

An easy HTTP interface, toplevel module.

The Network.HTTP module provides functionality for sending HTTP requests and processing their responses, along with a supporting cast of types and utility functions.

The actual functionality is implemented by modules in the Network.HTTP.* namespace, allowing the user to either use the default implementation by importing Network.HTTP or, for more fine-grained control, selectively import the modules in Network.HTTP.*. To wit, more than one kind of representation of the bulk data that flows across a HTTP connection is supported. Now selectable by importing Network.HTTP.HandleStream (say.)

• TODO - request pipelining - https upgrade (includes full TLS, i.e. SSL, implementation) - use of Stream classes will pay off - consider C implementation of encryption/decryption - comm timeouts - MIME & entity stuff (happening in separate module) - support "*" uri-request-string for OPTIONS request method
• Header notes:

Host

Required by HTTP/1.1, if not supplied as part of a request a default Host value is extracted from the request-uri.

Connection

If this header is present in any request or response, and it's value is close, then the current request/response is the last to be allowed on that connection.

Expect

Should a request contain a body, an Expect header will be added to the request. The added header has the value "100-continue". After a 417 "Expectation Failed" response the request is attempted again without this added Expect header.

TransferEncoding,ContentLength,...

if request is inconsistent with any of these header values then you may not receive any response or will generate an error response (probably 4xx).

• Response code notes Some response codes induce special behaviour:

1xx

"100 Continue" will cause any unsent request body to be sent. "101 Upgrade" will be returned. Other 1xx responses are ignored.

417

The reason for this code is "Expectation failed", indicating that the server did not like the Expect "100-continue" header added to a request. Receipt of 417 will induce another request attempt (without Expect header), unless no Expect header had been added (in which case 417 response is returned).

Documentation

module Network.HTTP.HandleStream

module Network.HTTP.Base

module Network.HTTP.Headers

module Network.TCP