C.1 Creating the Web

Question 1

C.1.1

Distinguish between the internet and the World Wide Web (WWW)

Answer 1

The internet is a global computer network which allows people to share information and communicate.

The World Wide Web on the other hand is a collection of webpages, files and folders accessible through the internet.

Question 2

C.1.2

Discuss how the web is constantly evolving

Answer 2

Web 1.0 is a read only web where people can only read content uploaded. The web pages are normally static and have few user interactions.

Web 2.0 is an interactive web where people can interact with the website itself (twitter, youtube, etc) However, there are issues with data security.

Web 3.0 is a decentralised but secure internet where people can exchange data without the need for a centralised database. It is referred to by experts as a “semantic web” because it is more machine-readable.

Question 3

C.1.3

What is HTTP and HTTPS?

Answer 3

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a protocol for transferring files across the WWW. HTTP by itself sends information without encryption.

HTTPS on the other hand is encrypted. It stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It adds an extra layer of security which encrypts the transmission. Specifically, HTTPS uses SSL or TSL to establish an encrypted connection. It also ensures websites are authenticated with the use of digital certificates.

Question 4

C.1.3

What is HTML, CSS and Javascript?

Answer 4

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. It is a markup language which tells the computer what the content of a webpage is and how it is structured.

CSS stands for Cascading Stylesheets. It is used to style the HTML and make it aesthetically pleasing.

Javascript is often used to make the webpage more dynamic and add interactivity to it.

Question 5

C.1.4, C.1.5

What is URL and URI?

Answer 5

URI stands for Uniform Resource Identifier. URI is unique sequence of characters that identifies a logical or physical resource.

URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. URL is a subset or URI. URL identifies the web address or location of a unique resource. AND also defines the mechanism as to how to retrieve the resource over the web

Question 6

C.1.6

How does a domain name server (DNS) function?

Answer 6

The domain name server (DNS) turns human-readable domain names into IP addresses which hosts the resource

IP addresses (Internet Protocol addresses) are unique numerical labels assigned to devices connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. They serve as the “address” that allows data to be sent from one device to another over the internet.

Question 7

C.1.7

What is IP, TCP and FTP?

Answer 7

IP stands for internet protocol. It is the method for routing and addressing data over the internet. It specifies the destination using IP addresses.

TCP stands for transmission control protocol and is used on top of IP. This protocol breaks down data into individual packets and sends them over the network. It also ensures the data is sent securely and reassembled after being received.

FTP stands for file transmission protocol. This protocol provides the method for transferring and uploading files to a website.

Question 8

C.1.9

Explain the importance of protocols and standards on the web

Answer 8

Network protocols are a set of rules and conventions that dictate how computers transfer data with one another.

A standard is an anything that has been agreed upon.

If there weren’t standards or protocols, it would be difficult for different devices to communicate with each other.

Question 9

C.1.12

Explain the functions of a browser

Answer 9

• Allows the user to enter URLs to locate resources over the WWW
• Serves documents in readable formats to the user
• Additional features like bookmarking and search history.