What is an HTTP Router?

An HTTP router is a crucial component in web development that handles incoming HTTP requests and directs them to the appropriate section of your application's code.

Understanding the HTTP Router

Based on the definition, routing, often known as an HTTP router, is a technique that directs HTTP requests to the code that is responsible for handling them. Think of it as the traffic controller for your web application.

When a user types a URL into their browser or clicks a link, an HTTP request is sent to the server hosting the website. This request includes information like the requested URL path (e.g., /about, /products/123) and the HTTP method (like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE).

To put it more simply, the HTTP router is where it's decided what actions should be taken when a user accesses a particular website. It examines the incoming request, particularly the URL path and method, and matches it against a predefined set of routes or rules.

How HTTP Routers Work

1. Request Received: An HTTP request arrives at the web server.
2. Routing: The HTTP router intercepts the request.
3. Matching: The router compares the request's URL and method to its configuration.
4. Dispatching: Based on the match, the router dispatches the request to the specific function, method, or code block designed to handle that particular request.

For example:

• A GET request to /about might be directed to a function that renders the "About Us" page.
• A POST request to /submit-form might be sent to a function that processes form data and saves it to a database.

Incoming HTTP Request	Router Action	Target Handler
GET /products/list	Matches path /products/list and method GET	Code that fetches and displays product list
GET /users/profile/john	Matches path /users/profile/:username and GET	Code that retrieves and displays user 'john's profile
POST /contact	Matches path /contact and method POST	Code that processes contact form submission

This process ensures that each request is handled by the correct part of the application, providing the appropriate response back to the user's browser. It's a fundamental concept in building modern web applications and APIs.