Which protocol is primarily responsible for sending web page data?

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the protocol specifically designed for transferring web pages over the internet. It enables the communication between web browsers and servers, allowing users to request and receive web content, including HTML files, images, and other resources necessary to display a web page. When you enter a web address into a browser, it uses HTTP to send the request to the server hosting the page, and the server responds with the requested data, which the browser then renders for the user to view.

In contrast, the other protocols serve different purposes. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is responsible for the reliable transmission of data packets between devices, establishing a connection to ensure that data is sent and received correctly, but it does not handle the actual content specifically for web pages. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is used for transferring files between a client and server, which is different from the web page transfer function of HTTP. Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) is mainly used for network diagnostics and error messaging, such as determining if a host is reachable, and does not facilitate web page data transfer.

Thus, HTTP is the direct answer for sending web page data, as it is the foundational protocol for the World Wide Web.