What is World Wide Web (WWW)

In today's Digital Era, the term "WWW" is omnipresent. Whenever you open a browser and visit a website whether for education or entertainment you are essentially entering the world of the World Wide Web.

But what exactly is the Web? Is it the same as the Internet? And how does it function in the background?

This note explains the definition, history, architecture, and components of the World Wide Web in simple, professional language.

1. What is the World Wide Web (WWW)?

The World Wide Web, commonly referred to as the Web or WWW, is a Global Information Medium where documents and web resources are identified by URLs (Uniform Resource Locators).

These resources are transferred via the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and can be accessed by users through a Web Browser (such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge).

In simple terms:

The WWW is a Hypertext-based Information System. It uses Hyperlinks to connect documents (Web Pages) to one another. By clicking on a link, you can access information stored on any server in the world.

Key Characteristics:

• Global Accessibility: Anyone with an internet connection can access it.

• Cross-Platform: It can be run on any device (Mobile, Laptop, Tablet) and any Operating System.

• Distributed Architecture: No single person or company controls the Web; it is decentralized.

2. Brief History

The World Wide Web was invented by British scientist Sir Tim Berners-Lee in 1989.

At the time, he was working at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research). He noticed that scientists faced significant difficulties sharing information with one another. To solve this problem, he proposed the idea of linking Hypertext with the Internet.

• 1989: Tim Berners-Lee proposed the Web.

• 1990: The world's first Web Browser and first Web Server were created.

• 1991: The Web was made available to the general public.

3. Internet vs. World Wide Web: What is the Difference?

Most people consider the "Internet" and "WWW" to be the same thing, but they are two distinct technologies.

Understand it with an analogy:

• The Internet is the Road (Infrastructure).

• The World Wide Web is the Vehicle (Service) traveling on that road, carrying information.

4. How WWW Works (Working Mechanism)

The World Wide Web operates on a standard architecture known as the Client-Server Model.

1. Client (The Browser): This is your Web Browser (e.g., Chrome). It asks for information (sends a Request).

2. Server: This is a powerful computer where Website files (HTML, Images, Database) are stored. It sends the information (sends a Response).

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Request: You type a URL (e.g., www.notesmedia.com) into the browser. The browser uses DNS to find the IP Address of that website.

2. Connection: The browser sends an HTTP Request to that Server.

3. Processing: The Server receives the Request and locates the requested Page.

4. Response: The Server sends back an HTTP Response (which typically contains HTML code).

5. Rendering: Your browser reads that code and displays it on your screen as a beautiful Web Page.

5. Core Components of WWW

To understand the Web, you must understand these three fundamental technologies:

A. URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

This is the Address of any file on the Web. Just as every house has an address, every Web Page has a URL.

• Format: Protocol://Domain/Path

• Example: https://www.notesmedia.com/notes

B. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)

These are the Rules for transferring data on the Web. It defines how the Browser and Server communicate with each other.

• HTTPS: This is the Secure version of HTTP, where data is encrypted (for Security).

C. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)

This is the language used to create Web Pages. It defines the Structure of the page (such as Headings, Paragraphs, Links).

• CSS is used to make Web Pages look good, and JavaScript is used to make them Interactive.

6. Conclusion

The World Wide Web is the backbone of modern society. A small idea by Tim Berners-Lee has connected the entire world.

As a Computer Network student, you should remember that the Internet is the network that connects computers, and the WWW is the system that shares information stored on those computers.