Using FTP

Transferring files between your computer and the server is fundamental to installing and customizing a WordPress server installation. You transfer files with File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client software such as FileZilla or CuteFTP on Windows and Fetch or CuteFTP on Mac OS.

You use FTP client software to put or upload files from your local computer to a remote server. You also use it to get or download files on the remote server to your local computer. Much of the FTP terminology dates back to the days of command line interfaces; fortunately, there are several graphic user interface programs that make FTPing files easy.

In this appendix, we provide some basic information for using our preferred FTP client software applications. We explain how to copy files to and from a server and how to use FTP software to set file permissions, rename files, and delete files.

Tips

• To access your site with FTP client software you need three pieces of information you can get from your ISP or system administrator:

  • The FTP address

  • Your FTP user name or ID

  • Your FTP password

• For additional information about using specific software, consult its documentation.

• Although this chapter only covers three popular programs, it should provide enough information to get you started if you choose a different FTP client.