What is Lightweight Directory Access Protocol or LDAP ?

LDAP is an open standard protocol (such as HTTP, FTP, GOPHER, etc.) for directory services on the Internet. Basically, it's a way to read, search, add and remove information from a centralized and/or distributed databases. LDAP is similar to the older X.500 Directory Access Protocol (DAP), but without some of it's overhead (such as session and presentation OSI layers).
So what does all this mean? Well, for example, you'll be able to look up email addresses by entering your friends' name quickly using a standard interface. So, LDAP clients will be linked in with your address book and other frequently used databases.

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