Internet and the Web

The Internet

Imagine the internet as a vast network of interconnected computers around the world. It's like a giant web (of connections, not pages!), but without the content.

Think of it as the infrastructure, the roads and bridges that allow information to travel.

The internet uses a specific set of communication protocols, like TCP/IP, to ensure information is broken down into packets, sent over the network, and then reassembled at the receiving device.

Key features of the internet:

• Global network: Connects billions of devices worldwide.
• Decentralized: No single entity controls the internet.
• Packet-switching: Data is broken down and sent efficiently.
• Multiple applications: Supports various services beyond just the web, like email, file transfer (FTP), and online gaming.

The World Wide Web (www)

The World Wide Web, often shortened to WWW or simply the Web, is an information system that rides on top of the internet. It's like a giant library of information accessible through user-friendly web browsers, designed for anyone to access and contribute to. Here's a deeper dive into what the web is:

Components of the Web:

• Web Pages: These are the building blocks of the web, containing information formatted in HyperText Markup Language (HTML). Think of them as individual pages in the library catalog.
• Hyperlinks: These are the clickable links that connect related web pages. Imagine them as cross-references in the library catalog, allowing you to jump from one book (web page) to another related one.
• Web Browser: This is your tool to access the web. It translates HTML code into visual web pages and allows you to navigate through hyperlinks. Think of it as the library's search interface you use to find books (web pages).
• Web Server: This is a computer that stores web pages and delivers them to your browser when you request them. Imagine it as the actual library shelves holding the books (web pages).

How it Works:

• You open a web browser and enter a web address (URL) which acts like a library catalog entry.
• The browser sends a request to a web server (on the internet) for that specific web page.
• The web server locates the requested web page and sends it back to your browser.
• The browser interprets the HTML code and displays the web page with its content and hyperlinks.
• You can click on hyperlinks to navigate to other web pages, exploring the vast web of information.