Htt0

Htt0 is a hypothetical hypertext transfer protocol proposed as a successor to HTTP for use in constrained networks and embedded environments. The name suggests a lean protocol with minimal handshake and header negotiation overhead, while remaining capable of supporting modern web semantics. In theoretical discussions, Htt0 is described as aiming for backward compatibility with existing web infrastructure while reducing latency and resource usage compared with HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2.

Design goals include a compact binary framing format, multiplexed streams over a single connection, and a token-based header system to minimize parsing cost. Htt0 favors deterministic processing rules and optional payload compression to save bandwidth. It envisions gradual deployment via gateways that bridge Htt0 with HTTP, allowing incremental adoption without requiring a full replacement of the current web stack.

Historical context: Htt0 appears in academic papers and speculative design documents from the 2010s and 2020s. It has not been standardized by major standards bodies and there are no widely deployed implementations. Proponents use it as a thought experiment to explore how reduced handshakes and compact framing affect performance on IoT devices, while critics point to the maturity of HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 and question whether Htt0 would fragment the ecosystem or complicate interoperability.

Related topics include HTTP, HTTP/2, HTTP/3, QUIC, and REST.