What is World Wide Web (WWW)?
The World-Wide Web is one of the most used and predominately services of the Internet. Basically, the World-Wide Web is a client-server system that integrates diversity between the types of information on the global Internet and enterprise networks platform.
Table of Contents
World Wide Web (WWW). Web means a specific kind of internet interface. The web documents contain links that lead to other web pages. The World Wide Web is one of the ways of accessing information over the medium of the internet.
It is an information-sharing model that is built on top of the internet. It is an internet-based global information system that makes available multimedia information from millions of computers around the world. The web uses HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) to communicate with server computers and transmit data.
Terms of WWW
The following popular Terms of WWW are as follows;
CGI
Common gateway interface. A specification for a communication interface between external systems and a web server.
HTML
Hyper-Text Markup Language. A text formatting language is used to create web pages.
HTTP
Hyper-Text Transport Protocol. The communications protocol between a web server and a client.
Image Map
A text file that defines regions using graphics files that users can click on to navigate.
MIME
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions. An internet standard for sending and receiving multimedia E-mail.
Server-Side
A web server feature that lets HTML pages be parsed “on the fly” filling in parts of the page with information from external files.
S-HTTP
Secure Hyper-Text Transport Protocol. An extension of HTTP that provides communication and transaction security for web clients and servers.
SSL
Secure Socket Layer. A transport mechanism developed by Netscape communication for transmitting secure data over a network.
URL
Uniform Resource Locator. An address that specifies the location of a web page.
Basic Features of WWW
Non Linear Information
WWW allows the user to access any type of information in a non-sequential manner or through any path of his own choice. The text messages, music, sound and any other information can be linked together in a non-sequential way and allow the user to browse through related topics.
Multimedia Facility
The web has the capability to display multimedia information such as images, graphics, text, sounds, music, animation, video and many other multimedia data types.
Web Navigation or Hyperlinks
web navigation or Hyperlinks is also called a web navigation element that allows the user to move or navigate between the pages. It is possible to download audio, video and other types of multimedia files. There are three types of hyperlinks such as text, image and image maps.
World over Reach
The information over the internet is widely dispersed all over the web that can be easily accessed by anyone at anytime i.e. 24 hours and 7days because the web has a global reach. By using hyperlinks one can move from one site to another site that may be located in different parts of the world.
Cross Platform
One needs to have a browser (Internet Explorer or any other) to access the internet and once on the internet by using any platform that may be windows or any workstation, it is easy to retrieve any information. WWW is independent of the platform being used by the machine and not limited to any kind of machine. That‟s why the Web is entirely cross-platform.
Interactivity
It is the ability of the web which allows the client to converse back to the server. In case of web one can talk back to the Odisha State Open University, Sambalpur Page 5 server by way of using hyperlinks and other is video conferencing by using internet audio phones and video communication.
Nature of World Wide Web (WWW)
- WWW is a platform independent in nature.
- Available all over the world.
- There is client server architecture.
- Integration of legacy systems.
- Millions of users are used.
- Quick response and easy access to information.
- Quick retrieval of information.
- GUI(Graphical User Inerface) application creation is very simple and wide.
- Development of applications is quick and responsiveness.
- Multi protocols have common interface.
- Support of Hypermedia.
- Computing is distributed.
- Cheaper access of cost.
- Reliability.
- Secure connections.
Architecture of World Wide Web (WWW)
The WWW architecture has three service aspects. They are as follows:
Client browser
Client browser provides local or specific data by has mosaic or WWW browser and browser extensions. It is fixed on the user‟s PC(Personal computer) or workstation. It providers are interface to the various types of contents.
WWW server function
Web servers provide information retrieval service, data and transaction management and secure messaging.
Third Party Services
The third party services include the digital library of documents, data servers, information processing tools, electronic payment servers etc.
The www is a global network of millions of web servers and web browsers connected by the HTTP.
