IPFS

IPFS, the InterPlanetary File System, is a distributed peer-to-peer protocol for storing and sharing files without relying on central servers. Instead of locating files by server address like HTTP, IPFS uses content-addressing where each file is identified by a cryptographic hash of its contents. If two nodes store the same file, it has the same address regardless of physical location.

This architecture provides several properties relevant to web development. Content is automatically deduplicated across the network. Files retrieved from IPFS can be verified as authentic because their hash matches their content. Data persists as long as at least one node continues to host it, and pinning services ensure specific content stays available permanently.

In practice, IPFS is widely used for storing NFT metadata and assets, hosting decentralized websites, distributing large datasets, and serving as the storage layer for decentralized applications. Gateways like ipfs.io allow standard web browsers to access IPFS content without installing special software. For web developers building on Web3, understanding IPFS is essential because it provides the storage counterpart to blockchain-based computation and state management.