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Gopher (protocol)

Network and Internet Systems

Gopher is a communication protocol designed for distributing, searching and retrieving documents in Internet Protocol networks. Its design and user interface are menu-driven, and it presented an alternative to the World Wide Web in its early stages before ultimately falling into disfavor as it yielded to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol; the Gopher ecosystem is often regarded as an effective predecessor of the World Wide Web.

Facts
Year
1991 1
Significance
The Gopher ecosystem is often regarded as the effective predecessor of the World Wide Web. 2
Connections

In Field

Source Wikipedia: Gopher (protocol)

Invented By

Source Wikidata: Gopher
Additional Source Mark P. McCahill (Wikipedia)Infobox: known_for
Sources
1. Wikidata: Gopher
  • Wikidata Q322654, resolved via en.wikipedia pageprops (wave rule R-L)
  • Wikidata Q322654 P577 (publication/release date) claim -> 1991; checked 2026-09-28
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2. Wikipedia: Gopher (protocol)
  • Body, Introduction
    The Gopher ecosystem is often regarded as the effective predecessor of the World Wide Web.
  • In Field: Computer Networking, Lead section
    Gopher ( ) is a communication protocol designed for distributing, searching, and retrieving documents in Internet Protocol networks.
  • In Group: Internet Application Protocols, Lead
    Gopher ( ) is a communication protocol designed for distributing, searching, and retrieving documents in Internet Protocol networks.
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Mark P. McCahill (Wikipedia)
Invented By: Mark P. McCahill, Infobox: known_for
Quote, Invented By: Mark P. McCahill, Infobox: known_for
Inventing the Gopher protocol, the predecessor of the World Wide Web; developing and popularizing a number of other Internet technologies
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