What is the Difference Between www (World Wide Web) and Internet?

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The World Wide Web (WWW) and the Internet are related but distinct concepts. Here are the key differences between them:

  1. Definition: The Internet is a global network of interconnected computer networks that use the TCP/IP protocol to connect devices worldwide. The World Wide Web, on the other hand, refers to online content formatted in HTML and accessible via the HTTP/HTTPS protocol.
  2. Function: The Internet is the infrastructure that allows for communication and data transfer between devices. The Web is a service built on top of the Internet, providing a way to access and share information through web pages and URLs.
  3. Access: While the Internet is the underlying network, the Web is one of the key services offered by the Internet. Users can access the content of web pages through the Internet using devices like laptops and cell phones.
  4. Structure: The Internet can be viewed as a big bookstore, with the Web being a collection of books on the store's shelves. The Web is an application built on the Internet, using protocols like HTTP for data transfer and HTML for web page formatting.
  5. History: The Internet predates the Web, with its origins in the 1960s and 1970s as a network for academic and government communication. The Web, on the other hand, emerged in the 1990s as a way to access and share information through web pages and URLs.

In summary, the Internet is the global network infrastructure that enables communication and data transfer, while the World Wide Web is a service built on top of the Internet, providing a way to access and share information through web pages and URLs.

Comparative Table: www (World Wide Web) vs Internet

Here is a table comparing the differences between the World Wide Web (WWW) and the Internet:

Feature Internet World Wide Web (WWW)
Definition A global network of interconnected computer networks that use the TCP/IP protocol. A collection of information accessible through the Internet, consisting of web pages connected via hyperlinks.
Origin Developed in the late 1960s. Invented in 1989 by Sir Tim Berners-Lee at the European Organization for Nuclear Research.
Type Primarily hardware-based. More software-oriented compared to the Internet.
Protocol Utilizes the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Utilizes the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
Application A wide range of applications in entertainment, education, research, navigation, etc.. Provides websites and URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers) for accessing specific information.

In summary, the Internet is a global network of interconnected computer networks that enables communication and data transfer between devices, while the World Wide Web is a collection of information accessible through the Internet, consisting of web pages connected via hyperlinks.