HPACK

HPACK

HPACK isn’t actually an acronym – it’s just the name given to HTTP/2’s header compression format. Think of HPACK like a smart dictionary system for website data:

• Common Phrases Dictionary
  • Instead of sending full phrases like “show me the webpage” each time, it uses shortcodes
  • Like texting omw instead of on my way
• Learning New Phrases
  • As you browse, HPACK remembers new information you exchange with websites
  • Future visits use these shortcuts automatically
  • Like how your phone remembers email addresses you’ve typed before
• Extra Compression
  • Takes the remaining text and makes it even smaller
  • Similar to zipping a file before sending it

Real Business Impact:

• Faster website loading for customers
• Lower bandwidth costs
• Better mobile experience
• Reduced server costs

Without HPACK, websites send the same information repeatedly. With HPACK, they send it once and then just use quick references—like having a conversation where you say, Like I mentioned before, instead of repeating the whole story.

• Abbreviation: HPACK