MODULE : ANALYZING AND

ACCESS ONLINE INFORMATION

UNIT 1
THE INTERNET AND THE WORLD
WIDE WEB
 1.1 Introduction to The Internet
Definition

The Internet is a global network of interconnected

computers that communicate using standardized
protocols (TCP/IP). It enables the sharing of
information, resources, and services across the globe.
Key Features
• Decentralized Structure: No central governing body
controls the entire Internet.
• Global Connectivity: Links millions of private,
public, academic, business, and government
networks.
• Protocol-based Communication: Primarily relies on
protocols such as HTTP, FTP, SMTP, and DNS.
 History
1960s: Began as ARPANET, a project by the U.S. Department of
Defense.
1980s: Transitioned to TCP/IP, which became the foundation for
modern Internet communications.
1990s: Became accessible to the public, sparking the digital
revolution.
Examples of Internet Usage
• Communication: Email, instant messaging (e.g., WhatsApp,
Gmail).
• Information Access: Search engines like Google and Bing.
• E-commerce: Online shopping platforms such as Amazon and
eBay.
• Social Networking: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.
1.2 Introduction to the World Wide Web (WWW)

Definition
The World Wide Web (WWW) is a system of interlinked
documents and multimedia accessed via the Internet. It uses a
web browser to access and display content hosted on web servers.
Key Components
• Web Pages: Documents written in HTML (HyperText Markup
Language).
• Web Browsers: Software for accessing web pages (e.g., Google
Chrome, Firefox, Safari).
• Web Servers: Systems that host web pages and deliver them
to users via HTTP/HTTPS protocols.
 A web browser
A web browser is a software program that allows
a user to locate, access, and display web pages.
In common usage, a web browser is usually
shortened to "browser." Browsers are used
primarily for displaying and accessing websites on
the internet, as well as other content created using
languages such as Hypertext Markup Language
(HTML) and Extensible Markup Language (XML).
 Cont..
• Browsers translate web pages and websites
delivered using Hypertext Transfer Protocol
(HTTP) into human-readable content. They also
have the ability to display other protocols and
prefixes, such as secure HTTP (HTTPS), File
Transfer Protocol (FTP), email handling (mailto:),
and files (file:).
• In addition, most browsers also support external
plug-ins required to display active content, such
as in-page video, audio and game content.
 A web server
• Web server is a computer where the web content
is stored. Basically web server is used to host the
web sites but there exists other web servers also
such as gaming, storage, FTP, email etc.
• The most commonly used Web servers are
Apache and Microsoft’s Internet Information
Server (IIS).
 Web Server Working
Web server respond to the client request in either of the following
two ways:
Sending the file to the client associated with the requested URL.
Generating response by invoking a script and communicating
with database
 Cont…
Key Points
• When client sends request for a web page, the web
server search for the requested page if requested page
is found then it will send it to client with an HTTP
response.
• If the requested web page is not found, web server will
the send an HTTP response: Error 404 Not found.
• If client has requested for some other resources then
the web server will contact to the application server
and data store to construct the HTTP response.
The term web server can denote server
hardware or server software, or in most
cases, both hardware and software
might be working together.
 cont
1.On the hardware side, a web server is defined as a
computer that stores software and another website
raw data, such as HTML files, images, text
documents, and JavaScript files. The hardware of
the web servers are connected to the web and
supports the data exchange with different devices
connected to the Internet.
2.On the software side, a web server includes server
software accessed through website domain names. It
controls how web users access the web files and
ensures the supply of website content to the end-user.
The web server contains several components,
including an HTTP server.
 Cont…
Typically, web server management is
an ideal example of the client/server
model. Therefore, it is compulsory for
all computers that host websites
(whether with state or dynamic web
page content) to have web server
software.
 How the Web Works

• Client-Server Model: A web browser

(client) requests content from a web server.
• Hyperlinks: Allow users to navigate
between pages and websites.
• Protocols: HTTP/HTTPS ensures secure and
efficient data transmission.
 History

• 1989: Invented by Sir Tim Berners-Lee

while working at CERN.
• 1991: First website went live
(info.cern.ch).
• 1993: Mosaic, the first graphical
browser, popularized the Web.
Examples
• Informational Websites: Wikipedia, news
portals like BBC.
• Interactive Websites: YouTube, Netflix.
• Service Websites: Banking portals like
PayPal, online learning like Coursera.
 1.3 Introduction to Websites

Definition
• A website is a collection of related web pages
hosted under a single domain name and
accessible on the Internet.
 Types of Websites
• Static Websites: Content remains the same for all
users (e.g., personal blogs, company portfolios).
• Dynamic Websites: Content changes based on
user interactions or data (e.g., Facebook, e-
commerce sites).
• E-commerce Websites: Focused on online
buying and selling (e.g., Alibaba, Amazon).
• Educational Websites: Provide learning
resources (e.g., Khan Academy, Udemy).
 Components of a Website
• Domain Name: The address of the website (e.g.,
www.example.com).
• Web Pages: Individual pages of content.
• Backend: Handles server-side operations, databases, and
dynamic functionalities.
• Frontend: The user interface visible to visitors.
Example Breakdown
Amazon.com:
– Frontend: Product listings, search bar, user-friendly interface.
– Backend: Processes payments, updates inventory, handles
recommendations.
 Domain Vs. Hosting

What is a Domain Name and How Does It Work?

A domain name is none other than your website
address, it consists of a name and an extension, for
example, the domain name for Google is
“google.com”. It helps the users or the audience to
find your website easily instead of them using its
internet protocol (IP) address.
 Cont..
The actual website address is a compound numerical IP
address for instance, 192.0.2.1 but because of the domain
name system (DNS), it has become easier for users to
enter friendly domain names and find the website they are
looking for. This process is called a DNS lookup
A domain name helps internet users to search your
website more effortlessly as they don’t need to memorize
the IP address as it consists of a string of numbers. It also
communicates your brand and its purpose to the users.
 Cont..
Also, having a domain name helps you create professional
and unique business email accounts. A well-thought domain
name with relevant keywords can boost your ranking on
search engines.
In the browser, if the users enter the domain name it will
search through the global network of the DNS servers. The
request is made for only one DNS server and if it is not found
there, it will move to the other. The DNS server with the
information of the IP address is then returned to the
browser. The browser will then request the data about the
website from the hosting server.
 Cont…
There are different types of top-level domains, such as
generic top-level domains (gTLD), country-code top-level
domains (ccTLD), sponsored top-level domains (sTLD) and
more. You can choose the TLD that suits your business
ideas
 Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is a string of

characters that provides the address of a specific
resource on the web. This section will introduce the
concept of URLs, explaining their structure and
components.
A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is a string of
characters that provides the address of a resource on
the internet. It serves as a unique identifier for web
pages, files, images, or any other resource
accessible via the web.
 Definition and Structure
URL: The concept and definition of a URL as a
standardized format for addressing resources on
the internet. A URL consists of several
components:
TLDs serve to categorize websites based on their
purpose, origin, or content. They provide users
with information about the nature of a website
and help organize the vast expanse of the
internet into more manageable segments.
Choosing an appropriate TLD is often influenced
by the type of content or organization associated
with the domain.
 What is Web Hosting? And How Does It Work?

Web hosting is an internet service that helps you

to host your web application or a website
online. After signing up for a hosting service, you
first rent a space on a physical server where your
data and files are stored for your web application
to work on devices like mobile, tablets and
desktops smoothly.
 Cont.…
Any website is generally made of folders like videos,
text, images and code. Web hosting happens when
all the files that happen to make a website are
uploaded from a local computer to a web server.
The hosting service provider configures, maintains
and runs physical servers and also provides
additional support like website backup, security and
website performance. This allows you time to focus
on the core functions of your website.
 Cont..
Web hosting providers manage hardware
resources for many websites and have greater
purchasing power. It invests in advanced
technology so that you can get high-performing
web servers with internal memory, processing
power and other computing resources.
 Cont..
There are different types of web hosting
available like VPS hosting, shared Hosting,
WordPress Hosting, cloud hosting and dedicated
hosting.
 Website Development Tools

• Content Management Systems (CMS):

WordPress, Joomla.
• Web Development Languages: HTML, CSS,
JavaScript, Python.
 Conclusion
The Internet and the World Wide Web
revolutionized how we communicate, share
information, and conduct business. Websites
serve as the foundation of the Web, offering
limitless possibilities for interaction and
engagement.
Activities/Examples for Students
• Search and Analyze: Find an example of
a static and a dynamic website. Compare
their features.
• Build a Simple Web Page: Create an
HTML page with a title, a paragraph, and
a link.
END OF CHAPTER 1
 UNIT 2
WEB BROWSERS
• "Search for Information" refers to the process of
actively seeking and retrieving specific data, facts, or
knowledge from various sources, often utilizing
search engines or databases.
• This can be done for a variety of purposes, such as
academic research, professional projects, or personal
curiosity.
• The key steps in a search for information typically
include formulating a clear query or question, using
appropriate search tools, evaluating search results, and
extracting relevant information to meet the intended
purpose.
Navigating the sea of information requires more
than just typing keywords. In the context of web
browsing, "Search for Information" often
involves using search engines like Google, Bing,
or Yahoo to locate relevant web pages, articles,
or resources related to a particular topic.
Effective searching requires refining queries,
understanding search operators, and critically
evaluating the credibility and reliability of the
information obtained. It is a fundamental skill
in the digital age for accessing and utilizing the
vast amount of information available on the
internet.
3.1.1 Search Engines and Their Functions

A search engine is a software system embedded

in a website that is used to search for
information on the World Wide Web. They
are powerful tools that enable users to find
information on the Internet quickly and
efficiently.
They index millions of web pages and provide
results based on the relevance to the user's query.
Understanding how search engines work and
their functions is essential for navigating the vast
amount of information available online.
Popular Search Engines
Several search engines are widely used around the world, each with unique
features:
Google: The most widely used search engine, known for its speed,
relevance, and comprehensive index. Google also offers various tools like
Google Images, Google Maps, and Google Scholar.
• Bing: Microsoft's search engine, which integrates well with Windows
and Microsoft services. Bing offers unique features like image search, video
search, and integration with Microsoft Office.
• Yahoo: Provides a variety of services including search, news, email, and
more. Yahoo search is powered by Bing.
• DuckDuckGo: Focuses on user privacy and does not track search
activity, making it a popular choice for those concerned with privacy.
 Key Functions of Search Engines
•Keyword Search: Users type in words or phrases
(keywords) to find relevant web pages.
• Advanced Search: Offers options to refine search queries
with filters for date, language, region, and more.
• Image and Video Search: Allows users to find images and
videos related to their queries.
• Voice Search: Enables users to perform searches using
voice commands, which is especially useful on mobile
devices.
• Local Search: Helps users find businesses, services, and
points of interest in their local area.
 The Role of Search Engines in Web Development

For web developers, understanding how search engines work is

crucial for optimizing websites to achieve higher rankings in
search results. This process, known as Search Engine Optimization
(SEO), involves:
• Keyword Research: Identifying the keywords that potential
visitors use to find related content.
• On-Page SEO: Optimizing the content and structure of the
website to be search-engine friendly. This includes using proper
HTML tags, meta descriptions, and alt text for images.
• Off-Page SEO: Building backlinks from other reputable sites
to improve the website’s authority and ranking.
• Technical SEO: Ensuring that the website is accessible to
crawlers, loads quickly, and is mobile-friendly.