Internet, World Wide Web (WWW) & URL

The Internet has transformed the way people communicate, learn, work, shop, and access information. Every time you open a website, send an email, watch a video, or attend an online class, you are using Internet technologies.

To understand how websites work, it is important to learn about the Internet, the World Wide Web (WWW), and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

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What is the Internet?

Features of the Internet

• Global connectivity.
• Information sharing.
• Fast communication.
• Supports online services such as email, web browsing, video conferencing, and cloud computing.
• Accessible through wired and wireless networks.

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How Does the Internet Work?

When you request a webpage, your device sends a request through your Internet Service Provider (ISP). The request travels through routers and communication networks until it reaches the web server hosting the website. The server then sends the requested webpage back to your browser.

Computer
   │
Wi-Fi / Mobile Network
   │
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
   │
Internet
   │
Web Server
   │
Requested Webpage

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What is the World Wide Web (WWW)?

The World Wide Web was invented by Sir Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 and is one of the most widely used services available on the Internet.

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Internet vs World Wide Web

Internet	World Wide Web (WWW)
A global network of networks.	A collection of websites and web pages.
Provides communication infrastructure.	Uses the Internet to provide information.
Supports many services such as email, FTP, and VoIP.	Mainly provides websites and web applications.
The Internet can exist without the Web.	The Web cannot function without the Internet.

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What is a URL?

Example:

https://www.codestepacademy.in/blog/networking?id=15#summary

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Components of a URL

Component	Example	Purpose
Protocol	https://	Defines how data is transferred.
Subdomain	www	Identifies a specific section of a website.
Domain Name	codestepacademy.in	Identifies the website.
Path	/blog/networking	Specifies the location of the webpage.
Query String	?id=15	Passes additional information to the server.
Fragment	#summary	Jumps to a specific section of the page.

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What is a Domain Name?

A Domain Name is the human-readable name of a website. It is easier to remember than an IP address.

Examples:

• google.com
• cbse.gov.in
• codestepacademy.in

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What is an IP Address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) Address is a unique numerical address assigned to every device connected to a network. It enables devices to identify and communicate with each other.

Example:

192.168.1.25

Since numerical IP addresses are difficult to remember, Domain Name System (DNS) servers convert domain names into IP addresses.

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Domain Name vs IP Address

Domain Name	IP Address
Readable by humans.	Readable by computers.
Example: google.com	Example: 142.250.xxx.xxx
Easy to remember.	Difficult to remember.

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HTTP and HTTPS

HTTP

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is the standard protocol used to transfer web pages between a web browser and a web server.

HTTPS

HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is the secure version of HTTP. It encrypts data exchanged between the browser and the server using SSL/TLS, making communication more secure.

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Difference Between HTTP and HTTPS

HTTP	HTTPS
Data is not encrypted.	Data is encrypted.
Less secure.	More secure.
Uses port 80.	Uses port 443.
No security certificate.	Uses an SSL/TLS certificate.

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Real-Life Applications

Concept	Application
Internet	Online learning, banking, shopping, entertainment
WWW	Browsing websites and web applications
URL	Accessing specific web pages
Domain Name	Identifying websites easily
HTTPS	Secure online banking and e-commerce

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Common Errors

Mistake	Correct Concept
Internet and WWW are the same.	WWW is a service that runs on the Internet.
URL and Domain Name are identical.	A URL includes the protocol, domain, path, and other components.
HTTP is secure.	HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP.
Domain Name is an IP Address.	A domain name is translated into an IP address using DNS.

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Quick Revision

Concept	Remember
Internet	Global network of networks
WWW	Collection of websites
URL	Address of a web resource
Domain Name	Human-readable website name
IP Address	Unique numerical address of a device
HTTPS	Secure version of HTTP

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CBSE Exam Tips

• The Internet is a global network, while the WWW is a collection of web pages available through the Internet.
• A URL specifies the complete address of a web resource.
• A domain name is easier to remember than an IP address.
• DNS converts domain names into IP addresses.
• HTTPS provides secure communication by encrypting data exchanged between the browser and the web server.

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Summary

The Internet enables global communication by connecting networks across the world. The World Wide Web (WWW) is one of the most widely used Internet services, allowing users to access websites through web browsers. Every web resource has a unique URL, which includes components such as the protocol, domain name, and path. HTTP and HTTPS define how web pages are transferred, with HTTPS providing secure, encrypted communication. Understanding these concepts forms the foundation for using and developing web-based applications.