The Internet and its Uses

Objective: Understand the difference between the internet and the World Wide Web

The Internet: The Infrastructure

The internet is a global network of interconnected computer networks. It's the physical infrastructure – the cables, routers, and satellites – that allows devices to communicate with each other.

Think of it like a vast road network. The roads themselves are the infrastructure. They exist independently of what travels on them.

• A network of networks
• Uses various protocols for communication (e.g., TCP/IP)
• Enables a wide range of services
• Operates at a lower level of abstraction

The World Wide Web: A Service on the Internet

The World Wide Web (WWW) is a service that runs on top of the internet. It's a collection of interconnected documents (webpages) and other resources, accessed via the internet using a standard protocol called HTTP.

The WWW uses the internet's infrastructure to deliver content. It's like the cars, trucks, and buses that travel on the roads (the internet infrastructure).

• A collection of webpages and resources
• Uses HTTP to access content
• Uses URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) to identify resources
• Operates at a higher level of abstraction

Key Differences: Internet vs. World Wide Web

Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

Feature	Internet	World Wide Web
Definition	Global network of interconnected computer networks	Collection of interconnected documents and resources
Nature	Infrastructure	Service
Protocol	Various (e.g., TCP/IP)	HTTP
Example Uses	Email, File Transfer, Remote Access, etc.	Websites, Online Documents, Multimedia, etc.
Analogy	Road Network	Vehicles (cars, trucks)

How they work together

When you access a webpage, your device sends a request through the internet to a web server. The web server then sends back the webpage data, which your web browser displays.

The internet provides the pathway, and the World Wide Web provides the content that travels along that pathway.

Further Uses of the Internet

Besides the World Wide Web, the internet supports many other uses, including:

1. Email: Sending and receiving electronic messages.
2. File Transfer: Sharing files between computers (e.g., FTP).
3. Remote Access: Accessing computers and resources from a distance (e.g., using SSH).
4. Online Gaming: Playing games with other people over the internet.
5. Social Networking: Connecting with friends and family online.
6. Streaming Services: Watching videos and listening to music online.