File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Client

A File Transfer Protocol client (or FTP client) is simple software or script that utilizes the network protocol for file transfers or FTP. An FTP client purpose is to move files from one system to another. In web hosting, this would be to transfer files from a local pc to a web server.

Even though FTP clients have a singular purposes, they can range from very simple to very complex. For example, an advanced FTP client would be one like SmartFTP. This client is graphically based very much like the windows explorer on a PC with Microsft Windows OS. So simply dragging and dropping files is simple and can be done in large groups instead of one at a time. Another great feature of SmartFTP is the ability to modify file directly from the client window. Things like changing file name, modifying permissions, and organizing file structures.

Then on the other end of the spectrum you have simple scripts that just login to a web server and just move the files in one direction. Usually downloading only.

Related Terms:
FTP
Anonymous FTP

Glossary Definition by WebHostingGPS.com