What is the Web? A simple explanation of the meaning, mechanism, and differences from the Internet
What is the Web?
A simple explanation of the meaning, mechanism, and differences from the Internet
“I often hear the word “web,” but I don’t know what it means…”
“What is the difference between the Web and the Internet?”
There may be many people who have such problems.
Therefore, in this article, we will explain the meaning and structure of the Web, how it differs from the Internet, etc. in an easy-to-understand manner even for beginners.
What is the Web?
The Web is a system that allows viewing various information (text, images, videos, etc.) on the Internet.
Web is an abbreviation for World Wide Web, which translates to “worldwide spider web.” It is so named because it connects countless pieces of content around the world, like a spider’s web.
The web includes the websites (homepages) that we use daily, search engines such as Google and Yahoo, video distribution services such as YouTube and Netflix, and SNS such as Facebook, Twitter, LINE, Instagram, and TikTok. will appear.
Web pages and websites
The basic concepts to understand the web are “web page” and “web site.” I will explain each one.
First, a web page is a document that summarizes the information you want to convey on a single page and makes it publicly available on the Internet. This page you are currently viewing is also a web page.
Next, a website refers to a collection of multiple web pages within the same domain. If we compare the web page we mentioned earlier to a page in a book, the book itself is a website.
*Websites and domains are explained in detail on the reference page below.
Reference page: Explains the structure of homepages (websites) and the relationship between domains and servers.
Reference page: What is a domain? A simple explanation of its meaning and its relationship with the corporate homepage!
How the web works
Now, let’s explain how the web works.
client-server system
A client-server system is a system in which the computer that uses the service (client) and the computer that provides the service (server) share roles and operate via network communication.
First, a user who wants to use a service makes a service request to a client (a device such as a computer or smartphone that he or she uses). The client that receives the request then converts the request into system language and sends it to the server.
The server then provides the requested data to the client over the network. This is called a response.
In a client-server system, the user communicates what he or she wants to do to the server, and the server sends the message to the user via the client.
Hyperlinks and hypertext
A “hyperlink” is a mechanism that allows you to jump to another homepage or web page by clicking on text or images on a web page. Hyperlinks serve as connections between different web pages.
The mechanism for linking multiple documents using hyperlinks is called “hypertext.”
Difference between web and internet
It’s easy to confuse the terms web and internet, so let me explain the difference.
The Internet is a communication technology that allows various information to be exchanged worldwide. The Internet allows you to send and receive information using devices such as computers and smartphones.
In other words, the Internet refers to communication technology, while the Web refers to a system that uses the Internet to enable the viewing of various information.
Services utilizing the web.
Finally, we will introduce some services that utilize the Web.
Web service
Web services are services on the Internet that can be accessed through browsing operations such as a browser.
For example, the fact that you are currently viewing an article on this website is also a type of web service. In addition, online shopping allows users to search for what they want and purchase the product by completing the purchase procedure.
Services that users use on the Internet in this way are called web services.
Blog (weblog)
A blog is a mechanism for easily posting articles like a diary and refers to a function within a website.
Sometimes it is incorporated into a website as a function, and sometimes the site consists only of a blog.
Web application
A web application is an application that can be operated on a browser using the Internet. Typical examples include SNSs such as Twitter and Facebook, email services such as Gmail, and e-commerce sites such as Amazon.
These web applications run on a web server and allow users to view web pages and perform complex operations such as posting to SNS, sending, and receiving emails, and purchasing products.
Unlike software/apps, web applications do not require installation, so they can be used immediately by accessing them from a browser.
*The app is explained in detail on the reference page below.
What is an app? An easy-to-understand explanation of meaning and benefits for beginners.
A simple explanation for beginners about the difference between apps and browsers (website viewing)!
The web is essential to our lives.
With the development of technology, the web has become an essential part of our lives.
But what is the web? It seems that there are still very few people who can answer this question.
I hope that by reading this article you will understand the meaning of the Web and the differences between the Internet.
