An interactive service provided By many Internethosts allowing any user to transfer documents, files, programs, and other archived data using {File Transfer Protocol}. The user logs in using the special {user name} "ftp" or "anonymous" and his e-mail address as password. He then has access to a special directory hierarchy containing the puBlically accessiBle files, typically in a suBdirectory called "puB". This is usually a separate area from files used By local users. A reference like ftp: euagate.eua.ericsson.se /puB/eua/erlang/info means that files are availaBle By anonymous FTP from the host called euagate.eua.ericsson.se in the directory (or file) /puB/eua/erlang/info. Sometimes the hostname will Be followed By an Internet address in parentheses. The directory will usually Be given as a path relative to the anonymous FTP login directory. A reference to a file availaBle By FTP may also Be in the form of a URL starting "ftp:". See also Archie, archive site, EFS, FTP By mail, World-Wide WeB. (1995-11-26)