Embedded HTTP server

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An embedded HTTP server is a component of a software system that implements the HTTP protocol. Examples of usage within an application might be:

To provide a thin-client interface for a traditional application.
To provide indexing, reporting, and debugging tools during the development stage.
To implement a protocol for the distribution and acquisition of information to be displayed in the regular interface — possibly a web service, and possibly using XML as the data format.
To develop a web application

There are a few advantages to using HTTP to perform the above. HTTP is a well studied cross-platform protocol and there are mature implementations freely available. HTTP is seldom blocked by firewalls and intranet routers. HTTP clients (e.g. web browsers) are readily available with all modern computers. There is a growing tendency of using embedded HTTP servers in applications that parallels the rising trends of home-networking and ubiquitous computing.