The World Wide Web (WWW) is a system of interconnected hypertext documents and multimedia content that is accessed via the Internet. Tim Berners-Lee, a British scientist, invented the World Wide Web in 1989 and has since become one of the most transformative technologies in human history. The WWW is a fundamental component of the Internet, enabling the sharing and retrieval of information, resources, and services on a global scale.
Key characteristics and concepts related to WWW
Hypertext Documents
The web is built on the concept of hypertext, which allows documents to contain hyperlinks (usually highlighted text or graphics) that, when clicked, take the user to other documents or resources. These interconnected documents are called web pages.
Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
To access web resources, users rely on URLs, which are structured web addresses. A URL typically includes the scheme (e.g., "http" or "https"), the domain name or IP address of the web server, a path to the resource, and optional parameters.
Web Browsers
Web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge are software applications that allow users to access and interact with web content. Users enter URLs or click on links, and the browser retrieves and displays web pages.
Web Servers
Web servers are computers or software that host websites and serve web content to users. They receive HTTP requests from web browsers, process them, and send back web pages or other resources.
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
HTTP is the protocol used for communication between web browsers and web servers. It defines how requests and responses should be structured and transmitted.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
HTML is the markup language used to create web pages. Web developers use HTML to structure content, add hyperlinks, and include multimedia elements. Modern HTML standards, such as HTML5, offer various capabilities for creating rich, interactive web content.
Websites
A website is a collection of web pages, often related to a specific topic, organization, or individual. Websites can serve various purposes, such as providing information, offering e-commerce services, or facilitating social networking.
Search Engines
Search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo help users discover web content by indexing and ranking websites and web pages. Users can enter search queries to find relevant information on the Internet.
Hypermedia
The WWW is not limited to text-based documents. It supports hypermedia, which includes text, images, videos, audio, and interactive content. This multimedia richness has contributed to the web's versatility and popularity.
Open and Decentralized
The WWW is an open system, meaning anyone can create and publish web content online. WWW is also decentralized, with no central authority governing or controlling the entire web. This decentralization allows for widespread global connectivity and information sharing.
The World Wide Web(WWW) has profoundly impacted communication, commerce, education, entertainment, and many other aspects of modern life. It has revolutionized how information is accessed and shared, making it an integral part of our daily experiences in the digital age.