Introduction – web technology

Introduction

The World Wide Web has become an inseparable part of our daily lives, powering everything from instant communication to global commerce. However, its journey from a conceptual idea to the highly interactive and decentralized network we know today is a story of innovation, collaboration, and technological progress. To truly appreciate the web’s impact, it’s essential to understand its history, its relationship with the internet, and the underlying computing paradigm that makes it all work.

A Brief History of the Web

The web’s origin dates back to 1989, when British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee at CERN became frustrated with the difficulty of sharing research information. His proposal introduced a system of interconnected hypertext documents — the “World Wide Web” — designed to make knowledge accessible across a network of computers.

• 1990: Berners-Lee developed the first web server, the first browser (WorldWideWeb), and HTML, the markup language for creating web pages.
• 1991–1993: The web was released to the public for free, sparking rapid adoption within the scientific community and beyond.
• 1994: The release of Mosaic, the first graphical browser for Windows, made the web accessible to everyday users.
• Mid-1990s: The “browser wars” began, with Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer competing to dominate the market.
• Late 1990s–Early 2000s: The dot-com boom transformed the web into a commercial hub, though the bubble eventually burst.
• 2000s–Present: The rise of Web 2.0 brought interactive features, social media, and user-generated content. Mobile browsing overtook desktop usage, and the emerging Web 3.0 movement promises decentralization and a more personalized, intelligent web.

The Internet vs. The World Wide Web

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, the internet and the web are distinct.

The Internet

The internet is the global infrastructure — a massive network of interconnected computers and devices. It uses communication protocols like TCP/IP to break data into packets, send them across networks, and reassemble them at their destination.
Key features include:

• Global connectivity linking billions of devices.
• Decentralization with no single controlling entity.
• Packet-switching for efficient data transfer.
• Support for multiple applications, such as email, file transfer, and online gaming.

The World Wide Web

The web is an information system that operates on top of the internet. It organizes and presents content in the form of interlinked web pages, accessible via browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
Core components include:

• Web Pages (HTML): The basic building blocks of the web.
• Hyperlinks: Clickable connections between pages.
• Web Browsers: Tools for rendering and navigating web content.
• Web Servers: Machines that store and deliver web pages upon request.

How it works:
A user enters a URL in a browser → the browser sends a request to a server → the server sends back the web page → the browser displays it. Hyperlinks allow navigation between pages, creating the vast network of information we recognize as the web.

The Client-Server Computing Paradigm

The interaction between users and online resources is made possible by the client-server model.

• Client: A software application (e.g., web browser, email client, mobile app) that requests resources from a server.
• Server: A computer or program that provides services or resources to clients, often handling multiple requests simultaneously.

Communication Process:

1. The client sends a request using protocols like HTTP or SMTP.
2. The server processes the request, retrieves or generates the data.
3. The server sends a response back to the client.

Advantages:

• Centralized management for easier updates and control.
• Scalability to handle more clients as demand grows.
• Security by managing access on the server side.
• Resource sharing among multiple clients.

Conclusion

The evolution of the World Wide Web — from Berners-Lee’s visionary proposal to today’s interactive and mobile-driven ecosystem — is a testament to human ingenuity. Understanding the difference between the internet and the web, along with the client-server paradigm, helps us appreciate the complexity behind our seemingly simple online interactions. As we move toward Web 3.0 and beyond, the web will continue to shape how we connect, learn, and share information on a global scale.