Introduction
When accessing online information and services, we often use the terms “Internet” and “World Wide Web” interchangeably. However, a clear distinction exists between the two terms. For example, when someone opens a browser to search for information or stream a video, they use the Internet to connect to the World Wide Web. It means we are actually searching on the Web with the help of the internet.
To gain a comprehensive understanding, let us explore what the Internet and World Wide Web mean, along with its examples, applications and key differences between the two.
What is Internet?
The Internet is a global network of connected computers and devices that communicates and exchanges information using standard communication protocols, such as TCP/IP. It serves as the foundation for various services, such as sharing information, sending e-mails, accessing websites, streaming videos, and performing other activities.
However, the internet uses physical infrastructures including copper wires, optical fibers, and wireless technologies to connect devices. It operates through different network types:
- LAN (Local Area Network)
- MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
- WAN (Wide Area Network)
- Cellular Networks
Key Components that Make up the Internet
- Protocols
- Physical Infrastructure
- Domain Name System
- World Wide Web(WWW)
Examples of Internet-Based Services
- Online Education
- Online Shopping
- Entertainment
- Online Banking
- Cloud Storage
- Online gaming
- Social Media
How Does the Internet Work?
When the user searches for a topic or type the website URL in your browser. The following activities happen in the background before delivering the results.
- Your device sends a request to the web server asking for the requested web page.
- Then, the server processes your request
- Server sends back the requested data
- Finally, the browser displays the results.
All these processes happen in milliseconds.
Learn more about how the internet works in this guide.
What is the World Wide Web?
The World Wide Web, commonly known as WWW, is a collection of web pages that people access through the Internet. It allows the users to browse websites and access images, text, and videos through the web browsers.
When you want to visit a specific website, you use web browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari to access the internet. The browser sends a request to the web server, which processes the request and sends the requested web page back to the browser. The browser then displays the content
Key Technologies of World Wide Web
- Web browsers
- Web Servers
- URL
- HTML
- HTTP/HTTPS
- Hyperlinks
Activities using World Wide Web
- Searching for information
- Web applications
- Shopping on e-commerce websites
- Accessing online educational resources
- Online Forums and communities
- Accessing government and public-service websites
How Does the World Wide Web Work?
1. User Searches for Information
The user searches for a topic, product, service, or website using a search engine such as Google or Bing.
2. User Selects a Website
The search engine displays relevant results. The user clicks a website link, which opens the website in the browser.
Note: A user can also enter the website URL directly into the browser without using a search engine.
3. Find the IP address
The browser sends a request to the DNS (Domain Name System) to search for the IP address assigned associated with a particular website name.
4. Connecting to the server
Using the IP address obtained, your web browser connects to the web server through a secure network path.
5. Send data request
The browser sends HTTP/HTTPS request to the web server for a particular web page. HTTPS provides an encrypted connection.
6. Processing and responding
The web server retrieves the requested data, such as images, HTML files, and videos, and sends it back to your browser.
8. Displays the requested data
Finally, your browser displays the web page on the screen.
Differences between WWW and the Internet
| Comparision | Internet | World Wide Web |
| Invention | The internet started in late 1960s | Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989 |
| First version | The first version of internet was “ARPANET” | Initially, WWW was known as “NSFNET” |
| Definition | The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers and devices that communicates and exchanges information using standard communication protocols, such as TCP/IP. | The World Wide Web, commonly known as WWW, is a collection of interconnected web pages that people access through the Internet. |
| Access methods | Internet uses IP addresses to identify devices and networks | WWW uses HTTP/HTTPs and URL to access web resources |
| Type | Internet is hardware based | WWW is software oriented |
| Interdependency | The Internet can exist without the World Wide Web. | WWW can’t function without the internet. |
| Functionality | The internet is a vast network that connects computer networks across the world. | WWW is a service provided by the internet |
| Speed factors | Dependent on ISP connectivity, bandwidth, and network infrastructure | Dependent in web development, internet speed, and server response time |
| Architecture | The architecture of the internet is decentralized. It is a network of networks, which means it connects various autonomous systems and networks which uses TCP/IP protocol to communicate with each other. | The World Wide Web is primarily based on a client-server architecture. Web browsers send requests to web servers, which are then responded to by serving web pages and deliver results to the clients. |
| Protocols | It supports multiple protocols, such as TCP/IP, FTP, and SMTP | It primarily relies on HTTP/HTTPs protocols to communicate between web servers and web browsers |
| Communication | Internet enables device-to-device, peer-to-peer, and server-to-server communication | WWW enables user-to-webpage communication and interaction. |
| Applications | Email, access to information, online banking, entertainment, social networking, online education, and day-to-day convenience. | The World Wide Web is used to access the all types of resources worldwide |
| Security | Internet security involves firewalls, encryption, and IP filtering | Web security involves such as SSL certificates, HTTPS, and web application security measures |
A Simple Real-World Example
Example 1 : “Sending an E-mail”
- The Internet provides a network infrastructure that carries e-mail from your device to the e-mail server and then to the recipient e-mail server.
- Email systems use internet protocols, such as SMTP(Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) to send e-mail between mail servers.
- If you access a webmail service such as Gmail through a web browser, the World Wide Web is involved in accessing the email service.
So, the Internet is the network that connects devices, while the Web is a service that uses this network.
Further, email can also work over the Internet without necessarily using the Web. You can access email through a mobile app, example: Microsoft Outlook or Gmail.
Example 2: “ A Book Stall”
- The book stall represents the Internet.
- Each book represents different services that can be accessed through the internet.
- However, the WWW can be related to one particular book in the book stall, as it is one of the services that operates through the internet.
To put in simple terms, the internet is like a book stall, while the WWW is one of the books available in the book stall.
Conclusion
The Internet and World Wide Web are connected but different concepts. Understanding the difference between www and internet makes it easier to understand how websites, browsers, servers, and other online services work to provide information and enable communication worldwide.
