Unit 1: Introduction to Internet

1. Introduction to Internet

What is the Internet?

 Definition: The Internet is a vast global network connecting millions of private, public,
academic, business, and government networks. It is a network of networks that use
standardized communication protocols to link devices worldwide.
 Purpose: The Internet facilitates various forms of communication, information sharing,
and access to resources, making it integral to modern life.
 How it Works: The Internet uses a suite of protocols called TCP/IP (Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) to transmit data between computers. Data travels in
packets across various routes to reach its destination.

Diagram showing the relationship between the Internet and the Web

Key Concepts:

 IP Address: A unique string of numbers separated by periods (IPv4) or colons (IPv6)

that identifies each device connected to a network.
 Domain Names: Human-readable addresses (e.g., www.example.com) that correspond to
IP addresses.
 ISP (Internet Service Provider): Companies that provide Internet access to users, e.g.,
Comcast, AT&T, BSNL.
 Bandwidth: The amount of data that can be transmitted over an Internet connection in a
given amount of time, typically measured in Mbps (megabits per second).
Applications of the Internet:

 Communication: Email, instant messaging, VoIP (e.g., Skype, Zoom).

 Information Access: Search engines like Google, online encyclopedias like Wikipedia.
 Commerce: Online shopping (e.g., Amazon), online banking, digital transactions.
 Social Networking: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.
 Entertainment: Streaming services (e.g., Netflix, YouTube), online gaming.

Example: Searching for information on Google about a topic, sending an email to a friend, or
streaming a movie on Netflix.

2.World Wide Web (WWW)

Definition

The World Wide Web (WWW or simply the Web) is a system of interlinked hypertext
documents that are accessed via the Internet. It allows users to browse and interact with a wide
variety of content, including text, images, videos, and interactive elements, through web
browsers. The Web is distinguished from the Internet, which is the global network of
interconnected computers; the Web is a service that operates on this network, facilitating the
sharing and accessing of information.

History

1. Invention (1989):
o The World Wide Web was proposed by Tim Berners-Lee, a British computer
scientist, while working at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear
Research). His vision was to create a system that would enable the easy sharing of
information among researchers across different computer systems.

2. Development (1990-1991):
o Berners-Lee developed the core technologies that form the foundation of the
Web:
 HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): The standard language used to
create web pages and structure content.
 HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): The protocol used for
transmitting web pages from web servers to clients (web browsers).
 URL (Uniform Resource Locator): A standardized address system used
to locate resources on the Web.
o First Website (1991): The first website was created by Berners-Lee at CERN,
which provided information about the World Wide Web project. It was hosted on
a NeXT computer and marked the beginning of the Web as we know it today.
 3. Public Access (1993):
o The Web became publicly accessible with the release of the Mosaic web browser,
developed by Marc Andreessen and his team. Mosaic was the first browser to
support images alongside text, and its user-friendly interface helped accelerate the
Web’s adoption by the general public.

4. Commercialization (1990s):
o During the mid-1990s, the Web expanded rapidly beyond academic and research
institutions. Businesses and individuals began creating websites, leading to the
development of e-commerce, online services, and the commercialization of the
Web. Companies like Amazon and eBay were among the pioneers of online retail.

Components of the World Wide Web

1. Web Pages:
o Definition: Web pages are individual documents accessible on the Web, typically
formatted in HTML. They can contain text, images, videos, links, and interactive
elements.
o Structure: A typical web page structure includes:
 Header: Contains metadata, navigation menus, and sometimes the page
title.
 Body: The main content area where text, images, videos, and other
multimedia elements are displayed.
 Footer: Often includes additional information, such as contact details,
legal notices, and links to related pages.

2. Websites:
o Definition: A website is a collection of related web pages that are hosted under a
single domain. Websites are often centered around a specific theme or purpose,
such as providing information, hosting blogs, selling products (e-commerce), or
facilitating social interaction.
o Structure: Websites are typically organized hierarchically:
 Home Page: The main entry point, providing an overview of the website
and links to other sections.
 Subpages: Various other pages linked from the home page, often arranged
in categories or sections.
 Navigation: Websites often include menus, search functions, and
interactive features to help users find information quickly.

3. Web Servers:
 o Definition: Web servers are specialized computers that store web pages and other
resources, such as images, videos, and scripts, and deliver them to users' browsers
upon request.
o Functions:
 Handling Requests: When a user enters a URL in their browser, the
request is sent to the web server hosting that page. The server processes
the request, retrieves the requested web page or resource, and sends it back
to the browser.
 Dynamic Content Generation: Web servers often work with server-side
scripts (e.g., PHP, ASP.NET) to generate dynamic content that changes
based on user interaction or other factors.

4. Web Browsers:
o Definition: Web browsers are software applications used to access and display
web pages. They interpret the code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and render it into
the content we see and interact with on the screen.
o Examples: Popular web browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox,
Microsoft Edge, and Apple Safari.
5. Hyperlinks:
o Definition: Hyperlinks are clickable text or images on a web page that link to
other web pages or resources, either within the same website or on different
websites. Hyperlinks create a connected network of information that allows users
to navigate from one page to another seamlessly.

How the Web Works?

1. HTTP/HTTPS Protocols:
o HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): The foundation of data communication
on the Web, HTTP defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, and how
web servers and browsers should respond to various commands.
o HTTPS (HTTP Secure): An extension of HTTP, HTTPS adds a layer of security
by encrypting data exchanged between the web server and browser, protecting
sensitive information such as login credentials and financial data.

2. URL (Uniform Resource Locator):

o Definition: A URL is the address used to access a specific web page or resource
on the Web. It consists of several parts, including the protocol (http:// or
https://), the domain name (www.example.com), and the path to the specific
resource (/page.html).
 3. Web Technologies:
o HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): The standard language used to create
the structure of web pages.
o CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): A language used to control the presentation and
layout of web pages, allowing developers to separate content from design.
o JavaScript: A programming language that adds interactivity and dynamic
behavior to web pages, such as form validation, animations, and interactive maps.

Browsers - Know Your Browsers

1. Definition:
o A web browser is software that enables users to access, retrieve, and view
information on the internet. Examples include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox,
Safari, and Microsoft Edge.

2. Functions:
o Browsing: Access websites and web pages.
o Rendering: Convert HTML, CSS, and JavaScript into visual and interactive web
pages.
o Navigation: Use of hyperlinks to move between pages.
o Bookmarks: Save and organize favorite websites.
o Security: Provide features to protect users from malicious sites and phishing.

3. Components:
o User Interface (UI): Includes the address bar, back/forward buttons,
bookmarking menu, etc.
o Browser Engine: Bridges the interface and the rendering engine.
o Rendering Engine: Interprets HTML/CSS and displays the content.
o Networking: Handles internet communication using protocols like HTTP and
HTTPS.
o JavaScript Interpreter: Executes JavaScript code on web pages.
o UI Backend: Draws basic widgets like combo boxes and windows.
o Data Storage: Manages cookies, caches, and other data storage mechanisms.
 Screenshots of chrome and safari web browsers

Electronic Mail (E-mail) - Introduction

Definition:

 E-mail is a method of exchanging digital messages over the Internet.

 It is one of the most widely used forms of communication for personal, academic, and
professional purposes.

History:

 E-mail technology was developed in the early 1970s, with Ray Tomlinson credited for
sending the first networked email.
 Over time, e-mail has evolved to include various features like attachments, HTML
formatting, and integrated security.

Functionality:

 E-mails can be sent and received across different devices, including computers,
smartphones, and tablets.
 They allow for instant communication and can include text, images, files, and hyperlinks.

E-mail Networks and Servers

Components:

 Mail Servers: These are computers that manage and store e-mail messages. There are
two main types:
o Outgoing Mail Servers (SMTP - Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): Handle
sending of e-mails.
o Incoming Mail Servers (POP3 - Post Office Protocol version 3 and IMAP -
Internet Message Access Protocol): Handle receiving and storing of e-mails.

Process:

1. Sending E-mails: The e-mail client sends the message to the outgoing mail server using
SMTP.
2. Receiving E-mails: The incoming mail server stores the message until the recipient
retrieves it using POP3 or IMAP.

E-mail Protocols

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol):

 Used for sending e-mails from a client to a server or between servers.

 Ensures the message reaches the recipient's mail server.

POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3):

 Used by e-mail clients to retrieve messages from the mail server.

 Downloads the e-mails to the local device, often removing them from the server.

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol):

 Allows e-mail clients to access messages stored on a mail server.

 Unlike POP3, IMAP keeps the e-mails on the server, allowing access from multiple
devices.
Structure of an E-mail

Components:

 Header: Contains essential information about the e-mail, such as:

o Subject: Brief summary of the e-mail content.
o From: Sender's e-mail address.
o To: Recipient's e-mail address.
o CC/BCC: Additional recipients (Carbon Copy/Blind Carbon Copy).
 Body: The main content of the e-mail, which can include text, images, and hyperlinks. E-
mails can be formatted in plain text or HTML.
o Plain Text: Basic text without any formatting.
o HTML: Allows for rich text formatting, including images, colors, and links.
 Attachments: Files that are sent along with the e-mail. These can include documents,
images, videos, etc.

Examples:

 Basic E-mail:

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Meeting Reminder

Hi,

This is a reminder for our meeting tomorrow at 10 AM.

Best,

Sender

 HTML E-mail:

<html>

<body>

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>This is a reminder for our <b>meeting tomorrow at 10 AM</b>.</p>

<p>Best,<br>Sender</p>

</body>

</html>