Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the Internet


WHAT IS INTERNET?
The internet is a global network that connects millions of computers and other devices, allowing them to communicate and share information with each other. It's like a vast digital web that enables people to access websites, send emails, chat with friends, stream videos, and much more. Essentially, it's the backbone of modern communication and information exchange.
EXAMPLE
Absolutely! Let's say you want to order a pizza for dinner. You go online, visit your favorite pizza place's website, and place an order. Your request travels through the internet to the pizza place's server, which processes your order and sends a confirmation back to you. All of this happens in just a few clicks, thanks to the internet connecting your device to the pizza place's system.
USES OF INTERNET
The internet has a wide range of uses in our daily lives. It allows devices to communicate and share information. It operates using standardized protocols, such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), to enable seamless data exchange across different systems.
1. Communication
Email: Instant exchange of messages globally.
Social Media: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for connecting with friends and sharing updates.
Video Calls: Apps like Zoom, Skype, and Google Meet for virtual meetings and personal connections.
Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Telegram, and iMessage for real-time texting.
2. Information and Learning
Search Engines: Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo for accessing information on any topic.
Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, Khan Academy, and Udemy for skill development.
Educational Content: Access to e-books, tutorials, and online encyclopedias.
3. Entertainment
Streaming: Watch movies, shows, and videos on Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify.
Gaming: Multiplayer online games and platforms like Steam.
Social Interaction: Participating in online communities and forums.
4. Commerce and Shopping
Online Stores: Amazon, eBay, and other e-commerce platforms for purchasing products.
Digital Payments: PayPal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay for online transactions.
Booking Services: Reserving tickets, accommodations, and travel services.
5. Banking and Financial Transactions
Online Banking: Manage accounts, pay bills, and transfer funds digitally.
Investments: Stock trading and cryptocurrency platforms.
Insurance Services: Buying and managing insurance policies online.
6. Healthcare
Telemedicine: Consult doctors through virtual platforms.
Health Information: Researching symptoms, treatments, and medical advice.
Fitness Tracking: Apps and smart devices for monitoring health.
7. Work and Business
Remote Work: Virtual collaboration through tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams.
Digital Marketing: Promoting businesses via social media, SEO, and online ads.
Cloud Services: Storing and managing data online.
8. Navigation and Travel
GPS Services: Real-time navigation with Google Maps and Waze.
Travel Planning: Booking flights, hotels, and transportation online.
Reviews and Guides: Research destinations and travel tips.
9. Social and Civic Engagement
Advocacy: Raising awareness and supporting causes via online campaigns.
Crowdfunding: Collecting funds for projects or emergencies.
Government Services: Accessing e-governance platforms for applications and registrations.
10. Innovation and Automation
Internet of Things (IoT): Controlling smart devices like lights, thermostats, and appliances.
AI and Automation: Using online tools for machine learning, automation, and advanced analytics.
WHY IT MATTERS?
The Internet is the backbone of today's world.
It powers education and economy. It supports our health and well-being. And it connects us to our neighbors and to those we love. Americans without Internet miss out on many of these benefits. Roughly 1 in 5 American households aren't connected to the Internet. That's a fifth of our country that's unable to fully participate in modern life.
Access to the Internet isn't a luxury. It's a necessity. That's why the Biden-Harris administration is providing $65 billion to expand Internet access. We want to make sure that everyone in America has access to reliable and affordable high-speed Internet. High-speed Internet doesn't just help individuals. It helps our country. It saves us time and money. It creates jobs and opportunities here in the United States. And it helps us connect to one another, building a stronger, more free society.
REFERENCE:-https://www.internetforall.gov/why
JOURNEY OF THE DATA : FROM BROWSER
TO SERVER
First of all, try to understand : what is Data?
Data is a collection of facts, figures, or information that can be stored and analyzed. It can come in various forms, such as text, numbers, images, audio, and video. Data is the raw material that we use to gain insights, make decisions, and understand the world around us.
For example, when you fill out a form online, the information you enter (like your name, email address, and preferences) becomes data. This data can then be used by the website to personalize your experience or by the company to analyze trends and improve their services.
Is there a specific type of data you're curious about?
BEFORE GOING DEEP INTO THE JOURNEY OF DATA, WE HAVE TO KNOW WHAT IS BROWSER ? WHAT IS SERVER?
SO WITHOUT ANY DELAY, WE ARE DESCRIBING ABOUT THE BROWSER
WHAT IS BROWSER?
A browser, short for web browser, is a software application used to access and view websites on the internet. It allows you to navigate the web by entering URLs (web addresses) or clicking on links. Some popular browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari.
EXAMPLE:
When you use a browser, it retrieves web pages froms and displays them on your device, enabling you to interact with content like text, images, videos, and more. Browsers also support various web technologies, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are used to create and design websites.
FOR MORE BETTER UNDERSTANDING:
There is a girl name Pragati and a boy name Utkarsha. Both are having their food and sit together to eat it. So now, they have the same food. Suppose he is the browser and she is the server. Pragati has a beautiful pen with her. And Utkarsha as a browser takes the pen (web pages(pen is the webpage here.)). And then, Utkarsha showed that pen to others. So here , what happens?
The web browser(Utkarsha) collects all the information from the server(PRAGATI). And the information is in the webpage form. The webpage(pen) is now live and shown to all the internet users.
WE DISCUSSED LOT ABOUT SERVER , BUT WE HAVE TO KNOW ABOUT SERVER
WHAT IT IS?
WHAT IS SERVER?
A server is a powerful computer or system that provides resources, services, or data to other computers, known as clients, over a network. Servers can host websites, manage email, store files, run applications, and much more. They are the backbone of the internet, enabling the smooth functioning of online services and applications.
EXAMPLE :
when you visit a website, your browser (the client) sends a request to the server where the website is hosted. The server then processes the request and sends the website's data back to your browser, allowing you to view the site.
Would you like to know more about how servers work or their different types?
https://www.spiceworks.com/tech/tech-general/articles/what-is-a-server/
https://chartercollege.edu/news-hub/how-servers-work-not-complicated-you-think/
Now , We are ready to go dip into the journey of the data from browser to the server.
JOURNEY:
The journey of data from your browser to a server involves several steps. Here's a simplified explanation:
Request Initiation: When you type a website address (URL) into your browser or click on a link, your browser sends a request to the server where the website is hosted.
DNS Lookup: Your browser first needs to find the IP address of the server. It does this by querying a Domain Name System (DNS) server to translate the website's domain name (like www.example.com) into an IP address.
TCP Connection: Once the IP address is known, your browser establishes a connection with the server using the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). This involves a "handshake" process to ensure both parties are ready to communicate.
HTTP/HTTPS Request: Your browser sends an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) or HTTPS (secure HTTP) request to the server, asking for the webpage content.
Server Processing: The server receives the request and processes it. This may involve fetching the requested webpage from a database, running server-side scripts, or performing other tasks.
Response: The server sends an HTTP/HTTPS response back to your browser, which includes the requested webpage data (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, etc.).
Data Rendering: Your browser receives the response and renders the webpage on your screen, displaying the content for you to interact with.
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