World Wide Web

What is the World Wide Web?

The World Wide Web, commonly known as the Web or WWW, is a system of interlinked hypertext documents and resources, accessed via the Internet. Founded by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, the Web utilizes browsers to display and navigate web pages that may contain text, images, videos, and other multimedia. The core principles it employs include Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) for addressing, HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) for communication, and HyperText Markup Language (HTML) for format and structure.

Examples of the World Wide Web in Use

Information Access: Websites like Wikipedia offer extensive online encyclopedias available to anyone with internet access.
E-commerce: Platforms such as Amazon and eBay allow users to shop, pay, and get products delivered at their convenience.
Social Networking: Websites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn facilitate social interaction, professional networking, and content sharing globally.
Entertainment: Streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify provide access to a vast range of movies, videos, and music.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web?

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers, while the World Wide Web is a vast collection of interlinked documents and resources accessed via the Internet using web browsers.

How can one access the World Wide Web?

Access to the World Wide Web requires an internet connection and a web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari).

Who invented the World Wide Web?

The World Wide Web was invented by Sir Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 during his time at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research).

What are cookies on the World Wide Web?

Cookies are small pieces of data stored by websites on a user’s browser to remember information about the user, like login status or site preferences, improving the browsing experience.

What does HTTP mean?

HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. It is the foundational protocol used for transmitting hypertext requests and information on the Web.

Internet: The global system of interconnected computer networks that use the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices.

Website: A collection of publicly accessible, interlinked web pages that share a domain name.

Browser: Software application used for accessing information on the World Wide Web, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.

URL: Stands for Uniform Resource Locator; it is the address used to access web resources.

HTML: HyperText Markup Language, the standard language used to create and design documents on the Web.

Online References

Suggested Books for Further Studies

“Weaving the Web: The Original Design and Ultimate Destiny of the World Wide Web by Its Inventor,” by Tim Berners-Lee
“The Web That Wasn’t,” by Alex Wright
“Introduction to the World Wide Web,” by Robert Layton

Accounting Basics: “World Wide Web” Fundamentals Quiz

### Who is credited with inventing the World Wide Web? - [ ] Steve Jobs - [x] Tim Berners-Lee - [ ] Bill Gates - [ ] Mark Zuckerberg > **Explanation:** Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989 while working at CERN. ### What does HTTP stand for? - [x] HyperText Transfer Protocol - [ ] HyperTransfer Text Process - [ ] HighText Transfer Protocol - [ ] HyperText Transmission Process > **Explanation:** HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol, a core web communication protocol. ### Can the World Wide Web be accessed without the Internet? - [ ] Yes, with specialized software. - [x] No, it requires an Internet connection. - [ ] Yes, within local servers. - [ ] No, unless it's the intranet. > **Explanation:** The World Wide Web requires an Internet connection to access linked web pages globally. ### Which organization is considered the birthplace of the World Wide Web? - [x] CERN - [ ] NASA - [ ] Google - [ ] Microsoft > **Explanation:** CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is where Tim Berners-Lee developed the foundational ideas of the World Wide Web. ### What is a web browser? - [ ] Internet Address - [ ] Search Engine - [x] Software application to access the Web - [ ] Online Marketplace > **Explanation:** A web browser is a software application used to access and navigate the World Wide Web. ### What is considered key to identifying a webpage? - [ ] Web Name - [ ] Email ID - [ ] Server ID - [x] URL > **Explanation:** The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is used to uniquely identify and access a webpage. ### Who primarily benefits from web cookies? - [x] Both users and website owners - [ ] Only users - [ ] Only web developers - [ ] Only advertisers > **Explanation:** Both users and website owners benefit from cookies: users enjoy personalized experiences, and website owners can monitor behavior and improve services. ### What does an HTML file contain? - [x] Web Page Content - [ ] Network Protocols - [ ] Server Software - [ ] Cryptographic Keys > **Explanation:** HTML files contain the content and structural information of a webpage. ### What is the World Wide Web commonly referred to as? - [ ] Data Net - [ ] Web Net - [ ] Global Net - [x] The Web > **Explanation:** The World Wide Web is commonly known simply as "the Web." ### How are web pages on the World Wide Web interlinked? - [ ] Direct File Sharing - [ ] Email Links - [x] Hyperlinks - [ ] Network Cabling > **Explanation:** Web pages on the World Wide Web are interlinked using hyperlinks.

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