Introduction to the Internet

Study Notes

The Internet is a collection of computer networks utilizing protocols for data exchange.
Originated in the 1960s-70s as ARPANET, a US Department of Defense project.
Key technological advancements include packet switching from the 1960s.
E-mail was introduced in 1971, and TCP/IP protocols were developed in 1974 by Vinton Cerf.
USENET, an early Internet system, was established in 1979.
By 1987, the Internet had nearly 30,000 hosts, showcasing rapid growth.
The World Wide Web (WWW) was created by Tim Berners-Lee between 1989-1991.
Major web browsers emerged: Netscape in 1994 and Internet Explorer in 1995.
E-commerce began with Amazon.com in 1995, followed by Google in January 1996.
Social media platforms include Wikipedia launched in 2001, MySpace in 2003, and Facebook in February 2004.

Web technology encompasses tools and techniques enabling communication between devices over the Internet.
Web browsers allow users to access web pages, displaying text, data, images, animations, and videos.
Hyperlinks are resources accessible on the WWW through web browser interfaces.
The WWW relies on technologies like web browsers, HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), and HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).

A web server processes user network requests and serves files to create web pages using HTTP.
Web pages are digital documents viewable by any internet user with a web browser.

Involves building, creating, and maintaining websites; includes web design, publishing, programming, and database management.
Web development is classified into two categories: frontend and backend development.

Refers to the user-interactive aspect of websites, also known as the ‘client side’.
Key frontend languages:
- HTML: Defines the structure and links within web pages using markup language.
- CSS: Simplifies the process of styling web pages independently from HTML.
- JavaScript: A scripting language enhancing website interactivity and functionality.
- AJAX: Stands for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, allowing server communication without page refresh.

The server-side aspect of websites, not visible or interactable by users; manages data storage and organization.

Frontend development can be enhanced using various frameworks and libraries:
- ReactJS: A JavaScript library for building user interfaces.
- Next.js: A React framework for server-side rendering and static site generation.