What is HTTP/2 and how does it differ from HTTP/1.1?

HTTP/2 is the second major version of the HTTP protocol, which improves performance and data transfer efficiency compared to HTTP/1.1.

Main differences between HTTP/2 and HTTP/1.1:

• Multiplexing: HTTP/2 allows multiple requests and responses to be sent simultaneously over a single TCP connection, reducing delays and increasing loading speed.
• Binary protocol: Unlike the text-based HTTP/1.1, HTTP/2 uses a binary data format, simplifying parsing and increasing reliability.
• Header compression: HTTP/2 employs header compression (HPACK), reducing the amount of data transmitted.
• Request prioritization: Clients can specify priorities for requests, helping the server allocate resources optimally.
• Server Push: The server can proactively send resources to the client without explicit requests, speeding up page loading.

Example: When loading a webpage with many resources (CSS, JS, images), HTTP/2 allows them to be loaded in parallel over a single connection, whereas HTTP/1.1 requires opening multiple connections or sequential loading.