httplocalhost

http localhost refers to the Uniform Resource Locator used to access services running on the local computer. When a web browser or another application attempts to connect to http localhost, it is directed to the machine from which the request originated. This is a common practice during web development and testing, allowing developers to run applications and view them locally before deploying them to a live server.

The term localhost is an alias for the loopback IP address, which is typically 127.0.0.1. This IP address is reserved and is not routed across the internet. When you type http localhost into your browser, your operating system recognizes this address and directs the request to the network interface on your own machine.

Services running on localhost are usually configured to listen on specific ports. For example, a web server might be set up to listen on port 80 (the default for HTTP) or port 8080. To access such a service, you would append the port number to localhost, like http localhost:8080. This allows multiple services to run concurrently on the same machine, each accessible through its unique port.

Using localhost is crucial for maintaining security and efficiency during development. It prevents unfinished or experimental applications from being exposed to the public internet, and it allows for rapid iteration and debugging without the need for a remote server. When you see http localhost in documentation or tutorials, it signifies that you need to have the described service running on your own computer.