A network request is a communication sent from one system to another over a network, typically using protocols like HTTP. A request includes a method, headers, and optional body data. The receiving server processes the request and returns a response. Network requests drive interactions between clients, APIs, and distributed systems.
Why it matters
Every action in a web application—loading data, submitting forms, logging in—depends on successful network requests. Understanding how requests work helps developers debug slow APIs, optimize performance, and improve reliability.
Examples
A browser sending GET /api/users to fetch user data or a backend service calling another microservice. The lesson Web as Request and Response explains this flow.