FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is a standard network protocol used for transferring files between a client and a server over a computer network.

FTP allows users to upload and download files from a remote server, typically via a command-line interface or using FTP client software. It operates on the client-server model, where the client initiates a connection to the server, authenticates itself, and then performs file transfer operations.

FTP provides a set of commands that allow users to navigate directories, list files, upload files from the client to the server, download files from the server to the client, delete files, and perform other file management operations.

While FTP has been widely used in the past, its usage has somewhat declined with the advent of more secure and efficient file transfer protocols such as Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) and FTP over SSL/TLS (FTPS). These protocols offer enhanced security features and encryption, which are important for protecting sensitive data during file transfers.