World Wide Web (WWW)

Definition

The World Wide Web (WWW) is an information space where documents and other web resources are identified by Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), interlinked by hypertext links, and accessible over the Internet. Although commonly referred to as synonymous with the Internet, the web is actually a service that operates over the Internet. The conceptualization of the World Wide Web is attributed to Sir Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, who developed the first web browser and webpage and laid the foundation for key protocols, such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and markup languages like HTML (Hypertext Markup Language).

Examples

Google Search: A search engine that allows users to query information across the web.
Wikipedia: An online, openly-editable encyclopedia providing information on a multitude of topics.
YouTube: A video-sharing platform where users can upload, view, and share multimedia content.
Social Media Platforms: Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram that facilitate social interaction and content sharing.
E-commerce Sites: Websites like Amazon and eBay where users can buy and sell goods and services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the World Wide Web?

The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents and multimedia content that can be accessed through the Internet using a web browser.

Who invented the World Wide Web?

The World Wide Web was invented by Sir Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 while working at CERN.

How is the World Wide Web different from the Internet?

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers, while the World Wide Web is a service that operates over the Internet to provide content and resources via HTTP and URLs.

What are the key technologies that enable the World Wide Web?

The key technologies include HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), and web browsers.

How do you access the World Wide Web?

You access the World Wide Web using a web browser, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge, by entering a URL in the browser’s address bar.

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): A protocol used for transmitting hypertext requests and information on the web.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): A standardized system for tagging text files to achieve font, color, graphic, and hyperlink effects on web pages.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The address of a web page on the internet.
Web Browser: A software application used to access information on the World Wide Web.
Hyperlink: A reference or navigation element in a document that links to another section of the document or to another document altogether.

Online References to Online Resources

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
“HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites” by Jon Duckett
“HTTP: The Definitive Guide” by David Gourley and Brian Totty
“Web Design with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery Set” by Jon Duckett
“Internet & World Wide Web: How to Program” by Paul Deitel, Harvey Deitel, and Abbey Deitel

Fundamentals of World Wide Web: Communications Basics Quiz

### Who is credited with inventing the World Wide Web? - [x] Tim Berners-Lee - [ ] Bill Gates - [ ] Marc Andreessen - [ ] Vint Cerf > **Explanation:** The World Wide Web was invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 while he was working at CERN. ### What does HTML stand for? - [ ] Hyperlink Text Management Language - [ ] Hyper Text Module Language - [x] Hyper Text Markup Language - [ ] High Text Management Language > **Explanation:** HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language. It is the standard markup language used to create web pages. ### Which protocol is primarily used to access the World Wide Web? - [ ] FTP - [ ] SMTP - [x] HTTP - [ ] TCP > **Explanation:** HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the protocol used for transmitting hypertext requests and information on the web. ### What comprises the address of a web page on the internet? - [ ] IP Address - [ ] URI - [x] URL - [ ] DNS > **Explanation:** URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address used to access web pages and resources on the internet. ### Which of the following is NOT a web browser? - [ ] Mozilla Firefox - [ ] Google Chrome - [ ] Microsoft Edge - [x] Linux > **Explanation:** Linux is an operating system, not a web browser. The other options are popular web browsers. ### How are web documents typically linked to each other? - [ ] Through IP Addresses - [ ] By email addresses - [x] Using hyperlinks - [ ] By domain registration > **Explanation:** Web documents are interlinked using hyperlinks, enabling navigation from one document to another or even to specific sections within a document. ### What year was the World Wide Web first introduced to the public? - [ ] 1980 - [x] 1991 - [ ] 1995 - [ ] 2000 > **Explanation:** The World Wide Web was first introduced to the public in 1991 by Tim Berners-Lee. ### Which organization is primarily responsible for developing standards for the World Wide Web? - [ ] IEEE - [ ] IANA - [ ] ICANN - [x] W3C > **Explanation:** The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is primarily responsible for developing standards for the web. ### Which language is considered the backbone for creating web page structures? - [ ] JavaScript - [x] HTML - [ ] PHP - [ ] Python > **Explanation:** HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) is considered the backbone for creating web page structures. ### What does URL stand for? - [ ] Universal Resource Listing - [x] Uniform Resource Locator - [ ] Ultimate Response Layer - [ ] Unified Research Language > **Explanation:** URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator, which is the address used to access resources on the web.

Thank you for exploring the intricacies of the World Wide Web with us, and good luck expanding your understanding through our comprehensive quiz questions. Happy studying!