OK, I need some input as I just cannot figure this out. I need to send a ping to a url that will return a short text string, an answer to a level. If I send it from a browser it works great so I have the hard work done. Now I want to send it from an app on phone. I need a button to click and a box to display the answer. Help please.
Tom
That's a Buttton and a WebViewer.
yes I realize that it is simple for you but I have been reading about this for hours and cannot understand it. I have a learning disability and struggle with these things.
Are you taking about API?
Can you say what is the URL? 
It is a local URL for a ES8266 that when pinged returns a number string. Takes up to 10 seconds to respond. Not an API I think. 192.168.1.232 for instance. Should be very simple but beyond my capabilities.
Tom
I dont know much about ES8266. May some other person help you 
So show what you send from the browser and what you get.
You ask general questions so you get general answers.