Overview

In addition to learning about Web browsers in this module, it is also important to learn some basic networking terminology, the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web, a.k.a. the Web, and the components of a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). View all of the topics presented here to gain a deeper understanding of how Web browsers work.

Define the Terms Associated with the Internet and the World Wide Web

Many people do not understand the difference between the Internet and the World Web and therefore often confuse the two. To help you understand the difference between these two entities, view these videos for more detailed explanations of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

• Internet: The global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link devices worldwide.1 Think of it as the vast physical infrastructure – the cables, routers, servers, and computers all connected. It's the "pipes."
• World Wide Web (WWW or "the Web"): A system of interlinked hypertext documents and other web resources that are accessed via the Internet. It's a collection of information accessible using web browsers. The Web is one of the most popular services built on the Internet's infrastructure.
• Webpage: A document or information resource suitable for the World Wide Web and accessible through a web browser.
• Website: A collection of related webpages and associated content that is identified by a common domain name and published on at least one web server.

Differentiate Between Web Servers and Web Clients (User Agents)

• Web Server: A computer program that stores webpages and other web content and delivers it to web clients upon request. When you type a website address, also known as a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), into your browser, a web server "serves" you the requested files from that website.
• Web Client (Web Browser/User Agent): The software application (like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari) that runs on your computer or mobile device and requests content from web servers, then displays that content for you to interact with. Your browser acts as the "client" asking for information from the "server."

Identify the Name of the Language Used to Create Webpages and Understand How it is Used

• HTML (HyperText Markup Language): This is the standard markup language for documents designed to be displayed in a web browser. HTML is used to structure the content (headings, paragraphs, lists, links, images) and define its meaning. It uses "tags" to mark up different elements of a page (e.g., <p> for a paragraph, <a> for a link).
• CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): While HTML structures the content, CSS controls the presentation and visual styling of a webpage (colors, fonts, spacing, layout).
• JavaScript: A programming language that enables interactive and dynamic content on webpages, such as animations, forms, and games.

Identify the Shared Features of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox

Despite their differences, modern web browsers share many core functionalities:

• Address Bar (or Omnibox/Search Bar): Where you type website URLs or search queries.
• Navigation Buttons: Back, Forward, Refresh/Reload.
• Tabs: Allow you to open and manage multiple webpages in a single browser window.
• Bookmarks/Favorites: A way to save frequently visited websites for quick access.
• History: A record of all the webpages you have visited.
• Downloads Manager: Tracks and manages files you've downloaded from the internet.
• Settings/Preferences: Options to customize browser behavior, appearance, privacy, and security.
• Extensions/Add-ons: Small software programs that add new features or modify the browser's functionality.
• Developer Tools: Built-in tools for web developers to inspect and debug webpages.