In the preceding article, we delved into the diverse technologies underpinning data communication and networking science. We explored how data is synchronized and the formats in which it is transferred from senders to receivers. However, the foremost application that users encounter at the forefront is the internet, also known as the World Wide Web (WWW).
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The WWW has seamlessly integrated into our day-to-day lives, serving as a guide to address myriad queries. The web has undergone rapid development, leaving its mark in diverse areas including education, research, technology, commerce, and marketing. Let's acquaint ourselves with this ubiquitous term and its various manifestations.
World Wide Web (WWW)
Evolution of WWW
The World Wide Web is a network of interconnected hypertext documents accessible through the Internet. Utilizing a web browser, individuals can peruse web pages comprising text, images, videos, and multimedia content, navigating seamlessly through hyperlinks. Sir Tim Berners-Lee, a British engineer and computer scientist, who was working at CERN at that time and is presently the Director of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), proposed the concept in March 1989. This proposal laid the foundation for the development of the World Wide Web as we know it today.
What is WWW (World Wide Web)?
The term "www" represents the trio of W’s found in website addresses. The World Wide Web, often simply referred to as the "web," serves as a means to access information over the Internet. It functions as a model for sharing information and is intricately built upon the Internet infrastructure. The web operates using the HTTP protocol, which is just one of several methods for transmitting information across the internet.
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| Communication between client and Server |
When a service employs HTTP to facilitate communication between applications, it is termed a web service. Web browsers like Chrome or Firefox allow users to retrieve web documents, commonly known as web pages or websites. These sites are interconnected through hyperlinks, resembling a spider's web, and this connectivity is made possible by the HTTP transfer protocol.
It's important to note that while the web is a substantial and widely used component of the internet, it represents only a segment of the entire internet landscape, which encompasses various modes of information flow.
Internet
The internet serves as an extensive network, commonly referred to as the network of networks. This vast interconnected system links millions of computers worldwide, facilitating communication between any two computers, regardless of their geographical locations, as long as they are both connected to the internet. A network denotes any connection involving two or more devices. For instance, you might have access to a local network in your home, accessible only to family members' computers, interconnected through a switcher or router. Similarly, a work network may be exclusive to individuals employed by the same company.
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The internet, on the other hand, transcends local scopes, constituting a global, large-scale network that accommodates simultaneous connections from millions of devices. Notably, it operates as an open and freely accessible network.
Information transmitted over the internet adheres to various protocols designed for specific purposes. As previously discussed, the HTTP protocol is integral to web-based information sharing. Consequently, websites such as Twitter, Google, Facebook, and even this blog form part of the web, with their information traversing the internet to reach users.
Internet Vs. WWW
The World Wide Web (WWW) is just one avenue for accessing information on the internet. Although it constitutes a substantial part of the internet and is undeniably the most popular aspect, it is crucial not to conflate the two terms, as they are distinct. Often, simplicity in nomenclature can lead to a blurring of concepts, and confusion when distinguishing between them. A common instance of this confusion is the tendency to use "web" and "internet" interchangeably, despite their disparate meanings. It may be surprising for many, but the internet and the web are separate entities, with one encompassing the other. Let's delve into what this distinction entails.
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WWW |
Internet |
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The World Wide Web is the prevalent system for navigating the internet. |
The Internet is a public network of networks with wired and wireless connections between computers. |
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It is governed by Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), also known as the language of www. |
Governed by a set of rules and regulations collectively known as Internet Protocol (IP). |
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A collection of information accessible through the Internet. |
Allows users to link their computer to any other computer. |
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Software-oriented. |
Mostly hardware-oriented. |
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Depends on the URL address for information browsing. |
Uses a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address for identification. |
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Invented by Sir Tim Berners-Lee during his work at the European Organization for Nuclear Research in 1989. |
The first workable prototype of the Internet was the ARPANET (Advanced Research Project Agency Network) in the late 1960s. |
Intranet
An intranet is a network owned privately and confined within a company or organization. Each computer in the intranet is identified by a unique IP address specific to the computers within that intranet. It may comprise interconnected local area networks and utilize leased lines in the wide area network. Typically, an intranet incorporates connections through one or more gateway computers to the external Internet. The primary objective of an intranet is to facilitate the sharing of company information and computing resources among employees. Additionally, an intranet can enhance group collaboration and support teleconferences. Computers within an intranet are inaccessible to the external world. Generally, each company or organization has its own intranet network, and members or employees of that entity can access the computers within their intranet.
Extranet
An extranet is a segment of an organization's intranet designed for communication using internet protocols (TCP/IP). It offers regulated access to a company's intranet for its trading partners, customers, and other businesses. Essentially, it is a secure private network that selectively shares internal information and operational aspects of a company with authorized individuals outside the organization, without granting access to the entire company network. This controlled sharing makes it an "extranet." Users are mandated to have IDs, passwords, and other authentication measures to gain access to this network.
Similarities between the Internet and Intranet
- Both Intranet and Internet utilize internet protocols like TCP/IP and FTP.
- Intranet sites can be accessed through web browsers, resembling the way websites on the Internet are accessed. However, only members within the Intranet network can access sites hosted on the intranet.
- In the Intranet, proprietary instant messengers can be employed, much like popular internet-based messaging platforms such as Yahoo Messenger or Google Talk.
Distinctions between the Internet and Intranet
- The Internet is universal, encompassing PCs worldwide, while the Intranet is confined to a select few PCs.
- The Internet offers broader access, providing extensive website access to a large global population, whereas Intranet is limited in scope.
- In terms of security, the Intranet surpasses the Internet, as the Intranet can be securely privatized based on specific requirements.
Services provided by the Internet
The Internet offers a diverse range of services that cater to various communication and information needs. Some key services include:
- World Wide Web (WWW): A subset of the Internet, presenting text, images, multimedia, and more in a unified interface. It primarily relies on hypertext for information retrieval.
- Electronic Mail (E-Mail): The electronic exchange of messages via a computer and communication network.
- File Transfer Protocol (FTP): A set of rules and software facilitating user access to another computer for information transfer.
- Telnet: Connects one machine to another, allowing interaction with a remote machine as if it were local.
- Internet Relay Chat (IRC): Real-time communication service enabling global conversations and synchronous online interactions.
- Chatting and Instant Messaging: Real-time typing communication between Internet users using chat programs and instant messaging.
- Internet Telephony: Utilizes the Internet, rather than traditional phone infrastructure, for exchanging spoken or telephonic information.
- Video Conferencing: Incorporates sound and video for direct face-to-face communication across networks using web cameras and microphones.
- Commerce through the Internet: Involves buying and selling goods and services online.
- Newsgroups (Usenet): International discussion groups focusing on specific topics to gather information.
- Mailing Lists (List server): Large communities engaged in active discussions distributed via email, organized around topic-oriented forums.
Applications of the Internet
Internet applications can be broadly categorized into various types, including online media, information search, communications, communities, entertainment, e-business, finance, and more. Regarded as one of the greatest inventions, the Internet serves numerous purposes.
Common applications of Internet usage include:
- Communication
- Job Searches
- Accessing Books and Study Material
- Health and Medicine
- Travel
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- Stock Market Updates
- Research
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Business Use of the Internet:
- Providing product information online to customers.
- Offering market information to businesses.
- Facilitating talent recruitment.
- Locating product suppliers.
- Obtaining rapid customer feedback on company products.
