What is the difference between the internet and the world wide web?

14 October 2023
Andrew Ingram
A blue sky with a few clouds in it
A man is sitting at a desk using a laptop computer.

What is the difference between the internet and the world wide web?

Andrew Ingram
14 October 2023
A blue sky with a few clouds in it

People often use the words "internet" and "World Wide Web" to mean the same thing, but they're actually talking about two different things. 🌐📚

Internet:


The internet is a massive global network of interconnected computers and other devices. It's a vast infrastructure that allows these devices to communicate with each other through a variety of protocols and technologies.


The internet is the physical network that consists of data cables, routers, switches, servers, and countless other hardware components. It spans the entire globe and allows for the transmission of data, including text, images, videos, and more, between connected devices.


The internet itself is a decentralised and global network that doesn't rely on any single central authority. It can be used for various purposes, including communication, file sharing, online gaming, and much more.


World Wide Web (WWW or Web):


The World Wide Web is a specific system or service that operates over the internet. It is a way of accessing and sharing information on the internet through web pages and websites.


The World Wide Web was invented by Sir Tim Berners-Lee in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It introduced the concept of using hyperlinks to navigate between web pages and a standardised language (HTML) for creating web content.


When you use a web browser to access websites, you are using the World Wide Web. Websites are typically identified by URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) like "http://www.example.com," and they are displayed in web browsers using HTML and other web technologies.


In summary, the internet is the underlying global network that connects devices and allows for data transmission, while the World Wide Web is a specific application or service that operates on the internet, providing a way to access and share information through websites and web pages. The World Wide Web is just one of many services that exist on the internet, which also includes email, file transfer, online gaming, and more.

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