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Internet and Web Explained – WWW, Web Browsers & URLs (O Level Computer Science 2210 / IGCSE 0478)

What Is the Internet?

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers and networks that communicate using standard communication protocols.

It allows users around the world to:

  • Share information

  • Send emails

  • Access websites

  • Stream videos

  • Communicate instantly

The internet connects millions of networks worldwide, forming the largest communication system ever created.

What Is the World Wide Web (WWW)?

The World Wide Web (WWW) is a system of interlinked web pages that can be accessed through the internet.

Web pages contain:

  • Text

  • Images

  • Videos

  • Links to other pages

The WWW uses hyperlinks to connect different web pages together.

Example:

Clicking a link on a website takes you to another page on the web.

Important point:

The Web is part of the Internet, but the Internet is larger than the Web.

The internet also includes services such as email, file transfer and cloud computing.

Web Browsers

A web browser is software used to access and display web pages on the internet.

It allows users to view websites by retrieving data from web servers.

Examples of web browsers include:

  • Google Chrome

  • Mozilla Firefox

  • Microsoft Edge

  • Safari

Web browsers interpret HTML code and display the content in a user-friendly format.

URLs (Uniform Resource Locators)

A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address used to locate a resource or web page on the internet.

Example URL:

https://www.example.com

A typical URL contains several parts.

URL ComponentDescriptionProtocolCommunication method (HTTP or HTTPS)Domain nameWebsite addressPathSpecific page or file location

Example:

https://www.ivyonline.co

Web Servers

A web server is a computer that stores websites and delivers them to users when requested.

The process works as follows:

1️⃣ User enters a URL in a browser

2️⃣ The browser sends a request to a web server

3️⃣ The web server sends the requested web page

4️⃣ The browser displays the page to the user

This process happens within seconds.

Why the Internet and Web Are Important

The internet allows users to:

  • Access information instantly

  • Communicate globally

  • Share digital content

  • Support online education and businesses

It has become an essential part of modern life and global communication.

Exam Tip (2210 / 0478)

Students are commonly asked to:

  • Define Internet

  • Define World Wide Web

  • Explain the role of web browsers

  • Explain what a URL is

A common exam question is:

Explain the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web.

Practice Question

Explain one function of a web browser.

Answer

A web browser retrieves web pages from web servers and displays them so users can view and interact with the content.

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