HTTP is the primary backbone of the Web. XML is rapidly becoming the de facto data format. These two technologies can be used together to build web-enabled data exchange applications. In this article, Darshan Singh explores the HTTP data access classes in MSXML (Microsoft XML Core Services) and in the .NET Framework. We'll begin by discussing the MSXML classes XMLHTTP and ServerXMLHTTP; and then we'll review the .NET Framework classes HttpWebRequest and HttpWebResponse in the System.Net namespace.

The XMLHTTP class is designed to be used on the client side to send the requests to HTTP servers, whereas ServerXMLHTTP is best suited for server-to-server HTTP data communication. There are many differences between these components. The article discusses all such issues and will help you decide when to use each of these classes.