Tinyhttpd is a minimal HTTP web server designed to process requests, deliver static files, and execute CGI scripts via network sockets. It serves as an educational implementation for studying the fundamental mechanics of the HTTP protocol and network programming.
The server supports the Common Gateway Interface to generate dynamic content by launching external programs as subprocesses. It manages these dynamic requests by redirecting data through pipes and system environment variables.
The system provides capabilities for parsing HTTP request methods and URLs, mapping those requests to local directory paths, and delivering static assets from the file system.