Iwt Unit-1
Iwt Unit-1
Introduction: Concept of WWW, Internet and WWW, HTTP Protocol: Request and
Response, Web browser and Web servers, Features of Web 2.0 Web Design: Concepts of
effective web design, Web design issues including Browser, Bandwidth and Cache, Display
resolution, Look and Feel of the Web site, Page Layout and linking, User centric design,
Sitemap, Planning and publishing website, Designing effective navigation.
1. What is www and how does it relate to the internet?
Ans: - The World Wide Web (commonly referred to as the web) is a system of interlinked
hypertext documents and resources that are accessed via the Internet. It allows users to view web
pages that may contain text, images, videos, and other multimedia, and navigate between them
using hyperlinks.
Features of WWW
WWW is open source.
It is a distributed system spread across various websites.
It is a Hypertext Information System.
It is Cross-Platform.
Uses Web Browsers to provide a single interface for many services.
Dynamic, Interactive and Evolving.
Key Components of the Web
There are 3 components of the web:
Web Pages: Documents that are written in HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and are
accessible via a web browser.
Web Browsers: Software applications (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari) that allow users to
access and interact with the content on the web.
Web Servers: Computers that store web pages and make them available to users when
requested.
Uniform Resource Locator (URL): URL serves as a system for resources on the web.
Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP): HTTP specifies communication of browser and
server.
Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML): HTML defines the structure, organisation
and content of a web page.
The Internet and the World Wide Web are closely related, but they are not the same thing.
1. The Internet:
o The Internet is a vast global network of interconnected computers and devices that can
communicate with each other. It’s a physical infrastructure made up of servers,
routers, cables, and wireless systems.
o It allows for the transfer of data between devices via protocols like TCP/IP
(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol).
o The Internet enables different services, such as email, file sharing, online gaming, and
more.
2. The World Wide Web:
o The World Wide Web is an application that operates on top of the internet. It uses the
internet as the backbone for data transmission.
o It specifically focuses on the delivery of web-based content (e.g., web pages, videos,
interactive content) via the HTTP protocol.
o While the internet supports various services, the web is only one of them.
Relationship between the Web and the Internet:
The Internet is the infrastructure, while the web is a service that uses that infrastructure.
The web relies on the internet to deliver content to users. Without the internet, the web
cannot function.
While the web is a major part of the internet, it is just one of many services available through
the internet. Other services like email, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and instant messaging
also use the internet but are not part of the web.
Analogy:
Think of the internet as a giant road system, with highways, bridges, and tunnels. It's the
physical and logical network that connects computers around the world.
The World Wide Web is like a system of libraries or shops that exist on this road network.
These libraries contain web pages (books) that can be accessed when you travel (navigate)
the roads.
WWW Internet
b) Website
1. Definition:
A website is a collection of interconnected web pages hosted under a single domain name,
providing a unified experience to its users.
2. Characteristics:
o Unified Domain: All pages share a common domain name, like www.example.com.
o Navigation: Users can navigate between pages using menus, links, or buttons.
o Purpose: Can serve informational, commercial, social, or personal goals.
o Design: Built using technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and back-end
frameworks for functionality.
3. Types:
o Informational: Focuses on providing knowledge (e.g., Wikipedia).
o E-commerce: Enables online buying and selling (e.g., Amazon).
o Social Networking: Allows user interactions (e.g., Facebook).
o Portfolio: Showcases personal or business achievements.
c) Web Hosting
1. Definition:
Web hosting is a service that allows individuals or organizations to make their website
accessible on the internet by storing its files on a web server.
2. Characteristics:
o Server Space: Websites are hosted on servers with storage and processing
capabilities.
o Types:
Shared Hosting: Multiple websites share one server.
Dedicated Hosting: A single website uses an entire server.
Cloud Hosting: Uses a network of servers to distribute resources.
o Services Offered: Includes server maintenance, uptime monitoring, security, and
backups.
3. Examples of Web Hosting Providers:
o Bluehost, SiteGround, AWS, Google Cloud.
d) DNS
Definition:
The Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical system that translates human-readable
domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses (like 192.0.2.1) that computers use
to identify each other on the network. It acts like a phone book for the internet.
Key Components:
Domain Names: Human-readable addresses used to access websites (e.g.,
google.com).
IP Addresses: Numeric addresses assigned to each device connected to the internet.
DNS Servers: Servers that store DNS records and respond to queries, helping to
locate the corresponding IP address for a given domain name.
Importance:
Ensures seamless access to websites.
Simplifies navigation on the internet.
Enhances load time and reliability through caching mechanisms.
Illustration: When you type www.example.com into your browser, the DNS process works
as follows:
1. Your computer checks its local DNS cache to see if it already knows the IP address.
2. If not, it sends a query to a DNS resolver, which is typically provided by your internet
service provider (ISP).
3. The resolver contacts other DNS servers to find the authoritative server for
example.com.
4. The authoritative DNS server responds with the IP address.
5. Your browser uses this IP address to connect to the website.
This entire process happens in milliseconds, allowing you to access websites using easy-to-
remember names instead of complex numerical addresses.
3. Explain the concept of effective web designing and give its clarification.
Ans: - Effective web designing refers to creating websites that are visually appealing, user-
friendly, and functional. A well-designed website ensures users can easily navigate, understand,
and interact with the content while achieving its intended goals, such as providing information,
generating leads, or selling products.
4. Confusing Layout
Explanation:
The overall structure of the website is cluttered or lacks visual hierarchy.
Examples:
o Important information buried under unnecessary elements.
o Overlapping or inconsistent design elements.
Impact:
Makes it difficult for users to focus or take action.
Solution:
Use a clear visual hierarchy, white space, and grid layouts to organize content effectively.
5. Poor Typography
Explanation:
The choice of fonts, sizes, or spacing makes text hard to read.
Examples:
o Overly decorative fonts or too many font types used.
o Small font sizes and poor line spacing.
Impact:
Reduces readability and user engagement.
Solution:
Use simple, readable fonts (e.g., sans-serif), maintain consistent font sizes, and ensure proper
spacing.
6. Lack of Accessibility
Explanation:
The website is not inclusive for users with disabilities.
Examples:
o Missing alt text for images.
o Low contrast between text and background.
o Incompatibility with screen readers.
Impact:
Excludes a significant portion of users, and may lead to legal issues in some regions.
Solution:
Follow accessibility guidelines like WCAG, and test the site using accessibility tools.
7. Inconsistent Design
Explanation:
Visual and functional elements are not uniform across the website.
Examples:
o Different button styles on different pages.
o Inconsistent color schemes or typography.
Impact:
Makes the website look unprofessional and confuses users.
Solution:
Maintain a consistent style guide for colors, fonts, and design elements.
8. Broken Links
Explanation:
Links on the website lead to nonexistent pages (404 errors) or fail to work.
Examples:
o Links to outdated resources or missing content.
o Internal links that don’t work.
Impact:
Frustrates users and harms SEO rankings.
Solution:
Regularly check and update links using tools like Google Search Console.
7. What do you understand by bandwidth? Discuss about cache and its types.
Ans: - Bandwidth refers to the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over an
internet connection or network in a given amount of time. It is typically measured in bits per
second (bps) or higher units like kilobits (Kbps), megabits (Mbps), and gigabits (Gbps).
In simpler terms, bandwidth is like the width of a highway — the wider the highway (higher
bandwidth), the more cars (data) can travel at the same time. Bandwidth determines the speed at
which data is sent or received over a network.
Key Aspects of Bandwidth:
1. Capacity: It represents the total capacity of a connection to transfer data. A higher bandwidth
means more data can flow through the connection simultaneously, leading to faster
download/upload speeds.
2. Usage: If too many devices or applications are using the available bandwidth, it can lead to
network congestion and slower speeds.
3. Latency vs. Bandwidth: While bandwidth represents the volume of data, latency refers to
the time it takes for the data to travel from one point to another. High bandwidth doesn’t
always mean lower latency, especially if the network has other issues like congestion.
Understanding Cache and its Types
Cache is a component of computer systems that stores frequently accessed data or instructions
temporarily, allowing faster access when needed again. The purpose of a cache is to reduce the
time and resources required to retrieve data from the main source (such as a server, database, or
hard drive). By keeping a copy of the data in a location closer to the user or application, the
system can deliver better performance.
Caches are used in various areas, including browsers, operating systems, web servers, and CPU
processors.
Benefits of Cache:
Faster Access: Since cached data is stored closer to the processor or application, it can be
retrieved more quickly than fetching it from the original source.
Reduced Load: Cache reduces the load on servers or databases by minimizing the number of
requests they need to handle.
Improved Efficiency: Applications and systems run more efficiently as they spend less time
waiting for data retrieval.
Types of Cache:
1. Browser Cache:
o What it is: This cache is stored on a user’s local machine by web browsers (e.g.,
Chrome, Firefox). When you visit a website, the browser stores static assets like
images, stylesheets, and scripts locally.
o Purpose: When you revisit the same website, the browser can load these assets from
the cache instead of downloading them again from the server, speeding up page load
times.
o Example: If you frequently visit a news website, the logo and certain elements are
loaded from the cache instead of being downloaded anew.
2. Server Cache:
o What it is: Servers store frequently requested data in memory so that the data can be
served more quickly on subsequent requests.
o Purpose: Reduces server load and improves response times for users. Popular content,
like pages or images, is served faster without reprocessing the request.
o Example: A web server may store the homepage of a website in cache so that when a
user requests it again, it doesn’t need to regenerate the page each time.
3. Memory Cache (RAM Cache):
o What it is: This cache resides in the system’s RAM (Random Access Memory). It
stores frequently used data or instructions to speed up application performance.
o Purpose: Speeds up the retrieval of data for applications by reducing the need to
access slower storage, such as a hard drive.
o Example: Operating systems cache recently accessed files in memory, so the next
time the same file is needed, it can be fetched from RAM quickly instead of reading
from the disk.
4. Disk Cache:
o What it is: This cache is stored on the hard drive and is used by the operating system
or applications to store frequently accessed data on disk.
o Purpose: It speeds up the retrieval of data that may not fit in memory cache, but is
still accessed more often than other data on the disk.
o Example: Files like thumbnails, web pages, and documents that are frequently
accessed might be stored in the disk cache.
5. CPU Cache (Processor Cache):
o What it is: The cache built into the CPU that stores frequently accessed instructions
and data.
o Types:
L1 Cache: The smallest and fastest cache, located directly on the CPU core. It
stores data that the processor is likely to need next.
L2 Cache: Slightly larger but slower than L1, it stores more data than L1 and is
still located close to the CPU.
L3 Cache: The largest and slowest among the three, shared among CPU cores,
and stores less frequently accessed data compared to L1 and L2.
o Purpose: It reduces the time taken for the CPU to access data from the main memory
(RAM), improving processing speed and overall system performance.
6. Database Cache:
o What it is: Caches database query results or frequently accessed data to speed up
database interactions.
o Purpose: Reduces the load on the database by caching the results of frequently run
queries or popular data.
o Example: In a content management system (CMS), frequently requested blog posts
may be cached to reduce the need to query the database repeatedly.
7. Content Delivery Network (CDN) Cache:
o What it is: CDNs are networks of distributed servers that store cached versions of
websites and web resources (images, scripts) in various geographical locations.
o Purpose: CDNs reduce the load on the origin server and deliver content faster to users
by serving cached content from the server closest to their location.
o Example: If a user in Europe requests a webpage hosted in the US, a CDN server in
Europe will deliver a cached copy of the content, improving load times.
8. Application Cache:
o What it is: This is used by specific software applications to cache frequently accessed
data or resources.
o Purpose: Speeds up application performance by caching the data the app often uses.
o Example: Email clients caching emails locally for quicker access.
8. What is HTTP? Explain its utility and the various methods used by HTTP.
Ans: - HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is a protocol used for transmitting data over the
web. It defines how messages are formatted and transmitted between clients (such as browsers)
and servers. HTTP is stateless, meaning each request is independent, with no knowledge of
previous interactions.
Utility of HTTP:
Data Communication: HTTP allows communication between a client and server, enabling
the exchange of web pages, files, images, and data (e.g., JSON, XML).
Client-Server Interaction: It's the backbone of web interactions, such as retrieving websites,
submitting forms, and downloading/uploading files.
Versatile and Extensible: HTTP can be used for a wide range of services beyond just web
pages, like APIs (RESTful services) or IoT communication.
Scalability: The stateless nature makes HTTP scalable as the server doesn't need to keep
track of session information between requests.
Methods of HTTP
GET: Used to retrieve data from a specified resource. It should have no side effects and is
commonly used for fetching web pages, images, etc.
POST: Used to submit data to be processed by a specified resource. It is suitable for form
submissions, file uploads, and creating new resources.
PUT: Used to update or create a resource on the server. It replaces the entire resource with
the data provided in the request body.
PATCH: Similar to PUT but used for partial modifications to a resource. It updates specific
fields of a resource rather than replacing the entire resource.
DELETE: Used to remove a specified resource from the server.
HEAD: Similar to GET but retrieves only the response headers, useful for checking
resource properties without transferring the full content.
OPTIONS: Used to retrieve the communication options available for a resource, including
supported methods and headers.
TRACE: Used for debugging purposes to echo the received request back to the client,
though it's rarely used due to security concerns.
CONNECT: Used to establish a tunnel to the server through an HTTP proxy, commonly
used for SSL/TLS connections.
Features
Stateless: Each request is independent, and the server doesn't retain previous interactions'
information.
Text-Based: Messages are in plain text, making them readable and debuggable.
Client-Server Model: Follows a client-server architecture for requesting and serving
resources.
Request-Response: Operates on a request-response cycle between clients and servers.
Request Methods: Supports various methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE for different
actions on resources.
Advantages
Platform independence: Works on any operating system
Compatibility: Compatible with various protocols and technologies
Efficiency: Optimized for performance
Security: Supports encryption for secure data transfer
Disadvantages
Lack of security: Vulnerable to attacks like man in the middle
Performance issues: Can be slow for large data transfers
Statelessness: Requires additional mechanisms for maintaining state
9. What are web servers? Explain the features and characteristics used for comparison of
web servers.
Ans: - A web server is software or hardware that delivers web content (such as websites, files, or
applications) to users over the internet or an intranet. It handles requests from clients (usually
browsers) and sends the appropriate responses, such as web pages, images, or other resources.
How It Works:
1. A user enters a URL in their browser or clicks on a link.
2. The browser sends a request to the web server.
3. The web server processes the request and sends the required resources (e.g., HTML, CSS,
JavaScript files).
11. Describe the roles of web browsers and web servers in the context of the world wide web.
Ans: - The World Wide Web (WWW) is a system of interconnected documents and resources
accessed over the internet. Web browsers and web servers play crucial roles in enabling users to
access, interact with, and retrieve information.
1. Web Browser
A web browser is software on the user's device that enables interaction with websites. Its primary
role is to fetch, display, and interact with web content.
Key Roles:
1. Fetching Web Pages:
o Sends HTTP or HTTPS requests to web servers for the required resources.
2. Rendering Content:
o Interprets HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to display web pages as intended by
developers.
o Manages layout, styling, and animations.
3. User Interaction:
o Allows users to navigate (via links, search bars, etc.), input data (forms, text fields),
and perform actions (clicking buttons).
4. Data Caching:
o Stores temporary copies of web pages, images, and other files to improve speed when
revisiting websites.
5. Security:
o Validates SSL/TLS certificates for secure connections.
o Warns users about potential threats like unsafe websites or phishing attempts.
6. Add-ons and Extensions:
o Enhances functionality by supporting tools like ad blockers, password managers, or
developer tools.
7. Managing Cookies and Local Storage:
o Stores user preferences and session data for personalized experiences.
2. Web Server
A web server is software (or hardware) that hosts and delivers web content to users via their
browsers. Its primary role is to manage client requests and send back appropriate responses.
Key Roles:
1. Serving Content:
o Hosts websites and provides resources like HTML, CSS, JavaScript files, images, and
videos.
2. Request Processing:
o Handles incoming HTTP/HTTPS requests and routes them to the appropriate resource
or application logic.
3. Dynamic Content Generation:
o Integrates with back-end applications to process data and generate responses
dynamically (e.g., fetching database results).
4. Security and Authentication:
o Implements HTTPS for encrypted communication.
o Manages user authentication and access control mechanisms.
5. Session Management:
o Tracks user sessions for features like login persistence and shopping carts.
6. Load Balancing:
o Distributes traffic across multiple servers to handle high loads efficiently.
7. Logging and Analytics:
o Records client requests, errors, and usage statistics for monitoring and optimization.
8. Error Handling:
o Provides appropriate error messages (e.g., 404 for "Not Found," 500 for "Server
Error").
Example Workflow
1. A user enters www.example.com in the browser.
2. The browser sends a request to the server hosting example.com.
3. The server retrieves the homepage (index.html) and sends it to the browser.
4. The browser renders the page and may send additional requests for resources like stylesheets,
images, and scripts.
5. The user interacts with the website, triggering more requests as needed.
Summary of Roles
Fetch, display, and interact with web Host and deliver web content to
Purpose
content. browsers.
Interaction Sends requests to web servers. Processes requests and sends responses.
Content
Displays web pages to users. Provides raw or processed web content.
Rendering
7. Mobile-First Development
The popularity of mobile devices led to responsive web design and frameworks like
Bootstrap.
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) emerged to deliver native app-like experiences in browsers.
8. Data-Driven Development
Web 2.0 emphasized data collection and analytics, helping developers understand user
behavior.
Tools like Google Analytics became essential for tracking website performance and user
interactions.