Difference between URLConnection, HttpURLConnection and HttpsURLConnection

Question

What is the difference between URLConnection, HttpURLConnection and HttpsURLConnection (with SSL). Under what conditions, which one should I use?

score 68 · Accepted Answer · edited Oct 16 '17 at 18:31

68

URLConnection is the base class.

HttpURLConnection is a derived class which you can use when you need the extra API and you are dealing with HTTP or HTTPS only.

HttpsURLConnection is a 'more derived' class which you can use when you need the 'more extra' API and you are dealing with HTTPS only.

All three of them are abstract, and implemented by specific classes you aren't privy to.

edited Oct 16 '17 at 18:31

Stevoisiak

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answered Oct 13 '10 at 03:15

user207421

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HttpsURLConnection derives from HttpURLConnction not URLConnection directly. – J888 Jun 21 '14 at 04:24
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@J888 That's what I meant by 'more derived'. – user207421 Aug 14 '14 at 06:17

score 8 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 13 '10 at 03:55

URLConnection is an abstract class so, you could never instantiate an object of that type.

HttpURLConnection extends URLConnection and provides fields and methods specific to an HTTP URL, such as, HTTP_CLIENT_TIMEOUT or setRequestMethod.

HttpsURLConnection extends HttpURLConnection and provides fields and methods specific to an HTTPS URL.

Difference between URLConnection, HttpURLConnection and HttpsURLConnection

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