# Welcome to the IPFS Docs
The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a set of building blocks for a better web. Open protocols to make your data smarter: content-addressed, verifiable, and unstoppable.
On a more technical level, IPFS is a set of open protocols for addressing, routing, and transferring data on the web, built on the ideas ofcontent addressing and peer-to-peer networking.
Many popular projects are built with IPFS - see theecosystem directory(opens new window) and theawesome-ipfs(opens new window) list to find some of these projects.
# Get started
You can get startedretrieving data andproviding data to the IPFS network. If you'd rather develop applications, learn how to build IPFS-native apps or use standard HTTP in theBuild section.
# Retrieve data
Quickly retrieve data from the IPFS network, no programming required:
- Fetch data via it'scontent identifier (CID)using an IPFS gateway.
- Install theIPFS Companion browser extension to add support for
ipfs://
andipns://
addresses to your browser.
# Provide data
Provide data to the IPFS network with IPFS Desktop or a pinning service:
- Install IPFS Desktop which bundles an IPFS node (Kubo) and a UI to manage files, peers, and explore content on IPFS.
- Publish content to the IPFS network with IPFS Desktop.
# Deploy static sites to the IPFS network
# Build
You can build apps that leverage IPFS implementations, or use HTTP instead:
# Using IPFS
Build an IPFS-native app using one of the many IPFSimplementations and tools:
- If you are familiar with JavaScript, checkout theIPFS in web apps guide, which covers how to useHelia(opens new window) and related libraries to build IPFS-native apps.
- To develop IPFS applications using Go and/or interact with IPFS from the terminal, use theIPFS Kubo implementation.
- Try any of themany other tools and implementations, which are written in different languages and tailored to specific needs and use cases.
# Using HTTP
As the IPFS ecosystem has grown and evolved with multiple implementations in different languages, HTTP has become an important foundation for interoperability. Check out the following resources to learn more:
- Control an IPFS Kubo node via HTTP using theKubo RPC API, which supportsmultiple clients in multiple languages.
- For an implementation and runtime agnostic HTTP interface for retrieving data, use anIPFS gateway.
# Learn
- Learn what IPFS is and isn't, the problems it solves, the different subsystems that it is composed of and how each one works inthe Basic Concepts.
- Dive into ideas like hashing, immutability, persistence (and more) that underlie IPFS inIdeas and theory.
- Learn more about the subsystems that IPFS is composed of inSubsystems and components
- Get anoverview of IPFS implementations.
- Compare IPFS to other similar systems.
- Understand the project history, ecosystem status and more in theProject section.
- See how other software systems leverage IPFS in theCase Studies section.
# Join the IPFS community
TIP
Are you developing with IPFS implementations and tools, and looking for technical support from IPFS experts? For the fastest possible assistance and resolution of your support needs, see theguide to getting technical help and support.
IPFS has a bustling community of designers, developers, writers, and activists who are all helping to improve the project. Find out about the events and resources available, and how to get involved in theCommunity section
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