What’s the Difference Between Internet and WWW (World Wide Web)?

When we talk about the digital world, two terms often come up: the Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW). However, they are two distinct concepts that are oftentimes employed synonymously. The study of these differences would be useful to better engage with the virtual environment. Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty that makes the Internet and the WWW as we know it and how it delivers this information.

Detailed Definition of the Internet

The Internet is a single interconnected system that unites millions of computers and devices located in various corners of the Earth. One should consider social networking sites as a great structure within which information can be exchanged and people connected in spite of distance. This network connects devices through physical mediums like fibres, copper wires, wireless radio links, etc.

Decentralisation:

• The Internet is decentralised with no single overseeing organisation.
• Comprised of several networks, some run by other organisations.
• This structure allows data to pass through various devices, enabling global interaction.

Protocols:

• Data transmission on the Internet is guided by protocols.
• The most crucial protocol is the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
• Protocols provide guidelines on formatting and transmitting information for efficient delivery within a network.

Daily Uses:

• Sending emails, using social networks, watching videos, playing games, and more.
• It is a foundation for applications like online gaming, video calls, and smart home systems.

How the Internet and the WWW Work Together

The Internet and the WWW are two different technologies that can be used simultaneously. Both rely on each other and are fundamental in providing the online experiences we currently cherish today. Here’s how they work complementarily.

It starts when we type the website address (Uniform Resource Locator) into our browser. The browser then initiates a request through the Internet to the physical server of the website. This request also employs the HTTP/HTTPS protocols to facilitate a proper connection between the client and the server.

The server, in return, transmits the web page back to the browser, and that completes the process. This data moves over the physical part of the Internet using the TCP/IP protocols. Once the HTML code gets to our device, then the browser translates it to create the web page that we see on the screen.

This interaction showcases the synergy between the Internet and the WWW:

1. Request Initiation: We type a URL in the browser.
2. Data Transmission: The request travels over the Internet using TCP/IP.
3. Server Response: The web server processes the request and sends back the data.
4. Page Display: Our browser receives the data and displays the web page.

In layman’s terms, the Internet is like the road, and the WWW is the car that conveys the information to the recipient. It is a fact that the internet provides the web with a base upon which it runs. On the other hand, it is the Web that gives the Internet a friendly and easy-to-use interface that enables users to retrieve information easily.

Key Difference Between Internet and WWW (World Wide Web)

Knowing the difference between the Internet and WWW may help you better understand them. They complement each other, but each is unique and holds a specific position. OK, let’s compare the core differences.

Infrastructure vs. Service

The Internet is the infrastructure. It is the underlying topology of connected computers and apparatuses. It is like having a network of roads and bridges where instead of cars, trucks and buses – there are cables, satellites, and routers. This infrastructure enables information to move from one place to the other around the world.

The WWW, on the other hand, is a service that utilises this infrastructure. If you look at it, it is like the vehicles passing through those highways. The Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents and resources, accessible through the Internet using software called web browsers. It is used to pass and acquire information using the Internet.

Hardware vs. Software Orientation

The Internet is hardware-oriented. This comprises the physical components such as servers, cables and other networking resources. These are parts that make up the network, which helps devices to join and interact with each other.

The WWW is more like software in that. It leans heavily on web browsers, web servers, and the protocols that are used to transport web pages. When we go to a website, it means we are using software on the Internet hardware.

Connectivity and Protocols

On the Internet, connectivity management is done by the TCP/IP protocol suite. This suite of protocols makes it possible for data to migrate across different networks and reach its intended end. This process divides information into small parcels, encodes them for transmission over the network, and then decodes them at the receiver end.

The WWW utilises HTTP/HTTPS as the underlying protocol. These protocols control how web pages are transferred from web servers to our browsers. HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol and governs how information is transferred on the Web; HTTPS is the same thing but with a security measure that protects the information.

Here’s a simple table to illustrate these differences:

Historical Development and Timeline

The evolution of the Internet can be traced back to ARPANET, which emerged in the late 1960s and was financed by the U.S. Department of Defense. As such, it was intended to offer dependable connectivity between government and other research organisations. For several years, the Internet transformed, assimilating new technologies and becoming more accessible. By 1990, it became a global interconnect and available to commercial users and the public.

The WWW came later, in 1989, when Tim Berners-Lee, a British scientist, started inventing the World Wide Web. While working at CERN, he came up with basic ideas for the Web and made the sharing of information among researchers easier. The first website started in 1991, and it offered a user-friendly method of getting around on the Internet and finding information. The WWW soon took shape as the dominant tool through which individuals engaged in the consumption of online resources.

Common Misconceptions About the Internet and the WWW

Many people confuse the Internet and the World Wide Web, thinking they are the same thing. This confusion can lead to misunderstandings about how these systems work and their roles in our daily lives. Let’s clear up some of the most common misconceptions.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we explored the connection and difference between the Internet and WWW. From this knowledge, we understand the Internet as being the extensive system of computers and networks that are used to support people’s conversations and information exchange all around the world. On the other hand, WWW is an application that can be used on the Internet to access information using web pages and share information through the creation of web pages.

We debunked myths like the one that states that the Internet and WWW are synonyms or that WWW grew side by side with the Internet. We also defined the rich uses of both technologies for communication, information retrieval, entertainment, shopping, and education.

Knowing these differences and uses makes us more able to deal with the digital environment and value the technical background of the internet. By understanding the role of the Internet and the WWW, more of these resources can be used in-person and in the profession.