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The Internet is a vast interconnected system of computing devices worldwide. It can be visualized as a network comprising routers and connections that collectively provide shared resources.
In earlier definitions, it has been described as:
A network that connects multiple smaller networks using the TCP/IP protocol.A community of individuals who both utilize and contribute to these interconnected networks.Internet-Based Services
Here are some fundamental services accessible to Internet users:
Email:Enables quick, convenient, and cost-effective communication with others globally.
Telnet:allows users to remotely access and interact with computers as if they were local.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol):Facilitates the transfer of a wide array of files between computers connected to the Internet.
UseNet news:Operates as a decentralized bulletin board system, providing news and discussion forums covering diverse subjects.
World Wide Web (WWW):Offers a hypertext platform to access and navigate through vast Internet-based information resources.
WWW
In technical terms, the World Wide Web (WWW) refers to all the resources and users on the Internet that utilize the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
According to a broader definition by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), co-founded by Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the Web, the World Wide Web encompasses the entirety of network-accessible information, representing the collective knowledge of humanity.
Simply put, the World Wide Web is a mechanism for computers on the Internet to share information, linking them into an extensive network of interactive multimedia resources.
HTTP
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, which is the fundamental protocol used for transferring hypertext documents on the World Wide Web. It enables the retrieval and display of web pages and other resources over the Internet.
When you see a standard web address like Yahoo.com, it is called a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), and the prefix “http” specifies the protocol used to access that resource. The presence of “http://” at the beginning of a URL indicates that the browser should use the HTTP protocol to communicate with the server hosting the website. This allows browsers to fetch and display web pages, images, videos, and other content seamlessly across the Internet.
URL
A URL, short for Uniform Resource Locator, serves as an address for locating resources on the internet. It’s essential for identifying any item connected to the web, such as web pages, images, or audio files.
A typical URL structure includes:
Protocol:Specifies how data is transferred. For web resources, the most common protocol is HTTP, though others like FTP, telnet, and Gopher are also supported by web browsers.
Hostname:This is the domain name or the specific computer where the resource resides.
Additional Path:Even though it’s optional, if specified, it points to particular files or folders on the server, separated by forward slashes.
In simpler terms, a URL starts with the transfer protocol followed by a colon and two slashes, then the domain name of the server. It can optionally include more specific paths to navigate to files or directories on that server.
Website
A website consists of multiple pages written in HTML, which is the standard markup language for creating web pages. It serves as a place on the internet where users can access tutorials and information about the latest technologies. There are countless websites available online, each serving different purposes and catering to various interests.
Every individual page within a website is referred to as a web page. The first page that users typically encounter when they visit a website is known as the home page. This page often serves as the main entry point to navigate to other sections or content within the site.
Web Server
Every website is hosted on a computer called a web server, which remains constantly connected to the internet. Each web server connected to the internet has a unique identifier known as an IP address. This address consists of a series of four numbers ranging from 0 to 256, separated by periods. For instance, examples of IP addresses are 81.185.177.122 or 98.152.55.138.
When registering a web address, also known as a domain name (like www.example.com), you are required to associate this domain name with the IP address of the web server that will store and serve the website’s files. This association ensures that when someone types in the domain name in their web browser, the browser knows which web server to connect to in order to retrieve the website’s content and display it to the user. Thus, domain names act as user-friendly aliases for the IP addresses of web servers.
Web Browser
Web browsers are applications installed on your personal computer that enable you to access and view content on the internet. Popular examples of web browsers include Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox.
When you use a web browser, you can navigate through different pages of information on the internet. This process of moving from one page to another is often referred to as browsing or surfing the web. Browsers interpret and display web pages that are written in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), allowing users to interact with various types of content such as text, images, videos, and interactive elements like forms and buttons.
SMTP Server
SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It is a protocol used for sending and delivering email messages over the internet.
When you send an email, your email client (such as Outlook or Gmail) communicates with an SMTP server. This server is responsible for routing your email to its intended recipient. The SMTP server processes your outgoing mail, contacts the recipient’s email server using DNS (Domain Name System), and then delivers the email message to the recipient’s inbox or mail server.
In essence, SMTP servers act as the postal service of the internet, ensuring that emails are correctly addressed and delivered to the right destinations across different email systems and domains.
ISP
ISP stands for Internet Service Provider. These are companies that offer individuals and businesses access to the internet. They provide various types of internet connections, such as dial-up, DSL, cable, fiber optics, and satellite, allowing users to connect to the global network of computers and services.
When you want to publish a website on the internet, you typically purchase hosting services from an Internet service provider. This hosting space is provided on a web server owned and managed by the ISP. The web server is a specialized computer that stores and serves the files and content of your website to visitors who access it through their web browsers.
In summary, ISPs not only facilitate your access to the internet but also offer services like web hosting, where you can rent space on their servers to make your website accessible to users worldwide.
HTML
HTML, short for Hyper Text Markup Language, is the fundamental language used for creating web pages. Every website you visit, including this one, is built using HTML.
Hyperlink
A hyperlink, or simply a link, is a clickable element in a digital document that allows users to access other online resources. Clicking on a hyperlink typically directs you to another web page or a specific section within a page. Examples of hyperlinks include text links, buttons, icons, and image maps.
DNS
DNS stands for Domain Name System. When you type a domain name (like www.example.com) into your web browser, the DNS translates this name into the corresponding IP address of the server hosting that website. It’s crucial to register your domain name with its associated IP address in the DNS for proper functionality.
W3C
The W3C, or World Wide Web Consortium, is an international organization composed of industry leaders and experts dedicated to developing and maintaining web standards. Established in 1994 by Tim Berners-Lee, the W3C ensures that the web evolves cohesively by setting standards for protocols like HTTP and HTML.
Components of the Web
The web operates as a client-server system, comprising several key components:
Your personal computer, where you access the internet.A web browser is software that enables you to navigate and view web pages.An internet connection is provided by an Internet Service Provider (ISP).A web server is a computer that hosts websites and delivers web pages to users.Routers and switches are hardware that directs internet traffic to the appropriate web servers.How the Web Works
When you enter a web address (e.g., Google.com) in your browser, the request travels through DNS servers, routers, and switches to locate the correct web server. The DNS translates the domain name into an IP address, and the browser communicates with the server using HTTP to fetch the requested web page.
A web page typically consists of multiple files, not just HTML, including images and style sheets, each identified by a URL. These files are retrieved by the web browser from the web server and assembled to display the complete web page.
Web Browsers
Web browsers like Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox are applications installed on your computer that allow you to access and navigate the internet. Browsing through web pages is commonly referred to as web surfing.
Browser Compatibility
When developing websites, it’s important to ensure compatibility across various browsers, like Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Netscape, Opera, and Safari. This ensures that users have a consistent experience regardless of the browser they use.
Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer (IE) is a web browser developed by Microsoft, a prominent software company. It was first launched in 1995 alongside Windows 95, marking its initial entry into the browsing market. Over time, Internet Explorer became one of the most widely used browsers globally.
By 1998, Internet Explorer had surpassed Netscape Navigator in popularity, solidifying its dominance in the browser market. This success was largely due to its integration with the Windows operating system and its widespread distribution of Microsoft’s software packages.
Throughout its history, Internet Explorer played a significant role in shaping how users accessed and interacted with the internet. Its influence spanned across various versions, each introducing new features and enhancements to improve the browsing experience and security.
Despite its historical significance, Internet Explorer gradually declined in popularity in the face of competition from other browsers like Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Microsoft’s own Edge browser. As a result, Microsoft announced the discontinuation of Internet Explorer in favor of Edge, encouraging users to transition to its more modern browsing platform.
Overall, Internet Explorer’s legacy remains pivotal in the evolution of web browsing, marking a significant chapter in the history of internet technology and digital communication.
Google Chrome
The web browser developed by Google is Chrome. Its beta version was initially launched on September 2, 2008, specifically for Microsoft Windows. Since then, Chrome has grown to become one of the most widely used browsers worldwide.
As of today, Chrome boasts a global market share of more than 50%, solidifying its position as a dominant force in the browser market. This popularity stems from several factors, including its speed, simplicity, robust performance, and seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem of services.
Chrome’s success can also be attributed to its continuous innovation and regular updates, which introduce new features and improvements to enhance the user experience and security. It supports a wide range of extensions and plugins, allowing users to customize their browsing experience according to their preferences and needs.
Overall, Chrome’s widespread adoption underscores its impact on how users access and interact with the internet, setting new standards for web browsers and influencing the evolution of online technologies.
Mozilla Firefox
Firefox is a web browser developed by Mozilla, released in 2004 as an alternative to existing browsers. Over the years, Firefox has gained significant popularity and is now recognized as one of the leading browsers globally.
Initially introduced to provide users with a faster, more secure browsing experience, Firefox quickly gained traction among internet users seeking alternatives to mainstream browsers. Its open-source nature and commitment to privacy and user control have been key factors in its appeal.
As of today, Firefox holds a substantial share of the browser market, positioning it as the second-most popular browser worldwide. Its success can be attributed to continuous updates, which introduce new features, improve performance, and enhance security.
Safari
Safari, a web browser created by Apple Inc. and bundled with Mac OS X, debuted as a public beta in January 2003. It excels at supporting advanced technologies such as XHTML and CSS2.
Opera
Opera distinguishes itself with its compact size and swift performance compared to other browsers, while still offering comprehensive features. It boasts speed, user-friendliness, a keyboard interface, support for multiple windows, zoom capabilities, and more. Opera comes in both Java-enabled and non-Java versions, catering to a wide range of users. It’s particularly suitable for newcomers to the internet, schoolchildren, and individuals with disabilities, and it serves well as a front-end for CD-ROMs and kiosks.
Konqueror
Konqueror is an open-source web browser that adheres to HTML 4.01 standards and offers support for Java applets, JavaScript, CSS 1, CSS 2.1, and Netscape plugins. Beyond browsing, it functions as a file manager, allowing users to perform basic file operations like cut, copy, and paste on local UNIX filesystems. Moreover, it enables advanced capabilities for browsing files both locally and over networks.
Lynx
Lynx is a comprehensive web browser designed for Unix, VMS, and other platforms that use character-cell terminals or emulators.