How does the HEAD/GET requests work ?

[Robert H. Terry]

As part of a library interoperability standard I am working on, I am 
proposing using the optional META tags in HTML 2.0 Head part.  The 
specifications state the META tag has two main functions:

 - to provide a means to discover that the data set exists and how it 
   might be obtained or accessed; and 

 - to document the content, quality, and features of a data set, 
   indicating its fitness for use. 

Which fits well with our needs for library interoperation needs.  Later, 
in the specifications it uses the following example:

If the document contains: 

<META HTTP-EQUIV="Expires"
      CONTENT="Tue, 04 Dec 1993 21:29:02 GMT">
<meta http-equiv="Keywords" CONTENT="Fred">
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Reply-to"
      content="fielding at ics.uci.edu (Roy Fielding)">
<Meta Http-equiv="Keywords" CONTENT="Barney">

then the server may include the following header fields: 

Expires: Tue, 04 Dec 1993 21:29:02 GMT
Keywords: Fred, Barney
Reply-to: fielding at ics.uci.edu (Roy Fielding)

as part of the HTTP response to a `GET' or `HEAD' request for that 
document. 

My question, is how does this work ?  Can an Agent/Browser search/browse 
the Head of docuemnts only ?  Are there benefits real/intended in doing 
same ?  Does anyone have any other thoughts on the whole subject ?

Thanks in advance,

Bob Terry

http://rbse.mountain.net/MOREplus/
800-846-1458 x 18