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Model Context Protocol (MCP): How AI Assistants Connect with External Tools and Services
What is Model Context Protocol (MCP)?
Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open-source protocol that standardizes how AI applications connect to external tools, services, and data sources.
Think of MCP as a USB-C port for AI applications.
Just as a USB-C port provides a standardized way to connect different devices, MCP provides a standardized way for AI applications to communicate with external systems.
Before understanding MCP, let’s first understand how applications communicate with servers using protocols such as HTTP and REST APIs.
Understanding HTTP and REST APIs
Let’s consider an example where a client accesses a website using a browser.
Suppose the website URL is:
Here, HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is the protocol used for secure communication between the client and the web server.It acts as a communication mechanism through which the browser sends requests and receives responses.
Now, what happens when someone visits this website?
The browser sends an HTTP request to the server. For example, when someone wants to view the homepage, the browser typically sends a GET request.
