World Wide Web (WWW)
What is the World Wide Web (WWW)?
The World Wide Web (WWW) is a system of interconnected web pages and online content
that can be accessed using the Internet. It was invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989. The
WWW allows users to browse websites, read articles, watch videos, and perform online
transactions.
How Does the WWW Work?
1. Websites & Web Pages: A website is a collection of web
pages stored on servers.
2. HTTP/HTTPS Protocols: Websites use HTTP (HyperText Transfer
Protocol) or HTTPS (secure version) to transfer data.
3. Web Browsers: Users access the WWW using web browsers
like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
4. URLs & Domain Names: Every website has a unique address
called a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) (e.g.,
www.google.com).
5. Hyperlinks: Websites are connected through hyperlinks,
allowing users to navigate from one page to another.
Key Features of the WWW:
✅ Hypertext System: Allows linking between web pages.
✅ Graphical Interface: Websites use text, images, videos, and animations.
✅ Global Accessibility: Anyone can access websites from anywhere.
✅ Dynamic Content: Websites update in real-time.
Web Browsing Software (Web Browsers)
What is a Web Browser?
A web browser is a software application that allows users to access and navigate websites on
the World Wide Web.
Popular Web Browsers:
Browser
Developer Features
Name
Google
Google Fast, secure, supports extensions
Chrome
Mozilla Open-source, strong privacy
Mozilla
Firefox features
Microsoft Integrated with Windows, efficient
Microsoft
Edge performance
Apple Safari Apple Optimized for macOS and iOS
Opera
Opera Built-in VPN, ad-blocker
Software
Functions of a Web Browser:
Loads and displays web pages.
Supports multimedia content like images and videos.
Allows bookmarking and saving pages.
Ensures security through HTTPS and private browsing modes.
Search Engines
What is a Search Engine?
A search engine is a web-based tool that helps users find information on the Internet by
typing keywords or phrases. It scans billions of web pages and ranks them based on
relevance.
2
Popular Search Engines:
Search
Developer Specialty
Engine
Most widely used, AI-powered
Google Google
search results
Bing Microsoft Integrated with Microsoft services
Offers news, email, and search
Yahoo Yahoo
services
DuckDuckGo Independent Focuses on user privacy
Baidu
Baidu Leading search engine in China
(China)
How Does a Search Engine Work?
1. Crawling: The search engine scans and collects data from
websites.
2. Indexing: The information is stored in a database.
3. Ranking: The most relevant results are displayed based on
algorithms.
4. Displaying Results: Users see a list of web pages matching
their query.
Uses of Search Engines:
Finding information quickly.
Researching academic and business topics.
Accessing images, videos, and news articles.
Searching for job opportunities and online courses.
The World Wide Web, web browsers, and search engines together form the foundation of the
modern digital world, enabling easy access to global information and services.