Why it matters

HTTP/2 is the current web standard. Understanding it explains modern web performance and enables tuning.

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The architecture

Binary framing: replaces text-based HTTP/1.1. Frames are efficient to parse.

Multiplexing: many streams over one TCP connection. No connection-per-request.

HTTP/2 featuresBinary framesefficient parsingStream multiplexingmany over one TCPHPACK compressionshrink headersHead-of-line blocking still exists at TCP layer; HTTP/3 solves that with QUIC
HTTP/2 innovations.
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How it works end to end

Streams: each request/response is a stream. Streams can be prioritized.

HPACK: header compression via dynamic table. Reduces overhead.

Server push: server proactively pushes resources client will need. Rarely used in practice.

Multiplexing benefit: hundreds of concurrent requests without TCP setup per request.