FTP, File Transfer Protocol, is used to transfer files from one computer to another. It is a very important tool for web developers as it is the most common method of uploading files to the web server. In addition to web site maintenance, FTP is also employed to transfer large files or lots of smaller files.
What is FTP?
The File Transfer Protocol is a set of instructions to retrieve or send files from one computer to the other on the Internet. One can argue that the same process can be accomplished using email but when the file size is very large or when there are lots of small files FTP is much, much easier. FTP is most commonly used by web developers for web site maintenance – uploading new files and deleting old ones. Further, the process of FTP is made simple by the use of FTP software – programs that are dedicated to FTP.
To know more about FTP, go to FTP – File Transfer Protocol. This article details the basics of the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and discusses how you can FTP to another system using various ways.
Below is a listing of some FTP software that I have used over the years. Needless to say that different software have different graphical user-interfaces, so I suggest you download a demo version and use it for some time before purchasing the licensed version. Some good FTP software are also FREE for personal and non-commercial use.
Advantages of FTP software
There are several advantages of using a dedicated FTP software also called an FTP client. There is no need to remember arcane FTP commands, the software (usually) keeps a tab on which files were transferred in a log file thus saving you time, migration through the directories on the server becomes easier and visually appealing etc.
WS_FTP
WS_FTP
CuteFTP
CuteFTP
LeechFTP
LeechFTP
FTP Explorer
FTP Explorer
