Hyper Text Coffee Pot Control Protocol

Hyper Text Coffee Pot Control Protocol (HTCPCP) is a communication protocol for controlling, monitoring, and diagnosing coffee pots. It is specified in RFC 2324, published on 1 April 1998 as an April Fools' Day joke by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Despite its humorous intent, HTCPCP highlights the extensibility and flexibility of the HTTP protocol.

Overview

HTCPCP is a protocol for controlling coffee machines over the Internet. It extends HTTP with commands such as BREW or POST, which initiates the brewing of coffee, and GET, which can be used to check the status of a coffee pot. The protocol also defines error codes specific to coffee brewing, such as "418 I'm a teapot", indicating that the requested device is a teapot, not a coffee pot. This particular error code has become widely recognized and is often referenced in discussions about HTCPCP and HTTP.

Protocol Design

The design of HTCPCP includes several commands and headers specific to the control of coffee pots. For example, the "Accept-Additions" header allows the client to specify which additives (such as milk, sugar, or chocolate) should be included in the coffee. The protocol is designed with extensibility in mind, allowing for the addition of new commands and headers to accommodate future advancements in coffee technology.

Implementation

While HTCPCP was primarily created as a joke, it has been implemented in various forms for fun by programmers and coffee enthusiasts. Some Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as smart coffee makers, have been configured to understand and respond to HTCPCP commands, demonstrating the protocol's potential for real-world application in a humorous context.

Cultural Impact

HTCPCP has had a lasting impact on Internet culture, serving as a reminder of the importance of humor and creativity in the technology community. The "418 I'm a teapot" error code has been particularly influential, inspiring merchandise, memes, and even proposals for its inclusion in official HTTP status code registries.

See Also

• Internet Engineering Task Force
• RFC 2324
• HTTP
• Internet of Things