A File Transfer Protocol (FTP) program can basically be described as a
tool that allows or helps you to transfer files from your computer to
another computer. This is usually common with web servers that are used
for hosting websites.
Web pages or files can be created and transferred
or uploaded easily with the use of this program. There are free versions
as well as premium versions of this program. The choice of which of the
versions to use depends on the complexity of the work to be done and
sometimes it may also depend on the choice of the user.
If you want a recommendation check out FileZilla. It’s free and very reliable.
After deciding on which of the versions of the program to use, the
next thing will be to download and install it on your computer.
Thereafter, it is then configured for use.
There are usually information
fields that are to be completed before it can be used effectively. Some
of this information includes username, password, and hostname. A
typical htp hostname usually looks like this -ftp.hostname.com. The
hostname or server name is normally derived from your website address
used for your web hosting. When all these things are done properly, the
FTP client is then ready for use and files can now be uploaded using it.
Using a FTP program can be very interesting as well easy to use. The
FTP interface divides the screen vertically in the middle into two
halves. One half usually the left represents or shows files on your own
computer while the other half usually the right shows files on the
server computer.
Whenever files are created and ready for uploads, all
that needs to be done is to highlight the files and click on the
designated icon for transfer, it is usually and arrow pointing towards
the direction the file is to be moved to. When that is done, the files
are transferred in a short time to the server. The same thing also
happens when moving files in the opposite direction.
Several other things can also be done with an FTP program besides
just moving files from one side to the other. Files can be edited,
renamed, viewed and even deleted within the FTP program. Also, new file
directories can also be created to arrange files in a tidy manner.
The
way files are arranged in folders normally affects the manner in which
web pages are named or located on the internet. In order not to place a
file in the wrong folder on the server, it is always advised that files
should be arranged on the server the same way they are arranged on the
computer.
