The Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning protocol allows users to upload and distribute software and other files to others across the Internet. WebDAV also provides the uploaders with the ability to make changes to a file's description or the contents of a project without having to completely remove the old version and replace it with a full new version.
WebDAV
- WebDAV is similar to other file transfer protocols such as FTP in respect to the fact that it allows users to upload multiple files to a website or storage server at once, though its transfer method is largely based on the HTTP protocol. The primary advantages of WebDAV relate to the control it gives users over uploaded files; users can apply overwrite protection to individual files, adjust information about the files without having to upload the file again, move files within a single domain and to create collections of files and other resources on the server.
Version Control
- WebDAV is often used for files and collaborative projects that are still in active development. The content control offered by the protocol allows file owners or project members to update only those files that have been changed while protecting unchanged files from accidental overwrite. WebDAV's file information feature also allows version information and file descriptions to be adjusted easily without having to do extensive file editing. Project files can be added to new collections to keep them organized, providing site visitors with a clear indication of every file that is part of the project.
File Types
- As WebDAV is a file transfer protocol, there is no inherent restriction on the types of files that it can be used to upload to a website or storage server. WebDAV users can upload executable files, archives, HTML and other Internet files, documents, text files and even files with custom extensions that are used only by the specific program or other project they are a part of. The only upload restrictions that might be encountered with WebDAV-uploaded projects are restrictions put in place by the specific server that the files are being uploaded to.
Using WebDAV
- As with FTP and other HTTP-based protocols, the use of WebDAV requires an upload client or other software capable of using a WebDAV connection. Some software features built-in WebDAV controls so that software projects, websites and other content can be published directly to a web server without the need for a separate program to upload project files to a server. Downloading files that were originally uploaded with WebDAV does not require a WebDAV-specific program; the files can be downloaded from a server using any Internet browser or download manager software.
