What is the web

History and definition

The Web, or World Wide Web (WWW), is a hypertext information system accessible via the Internet. Invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, the Web enables users to navigate through a multitude of documents interconnected by hypertext links. These documents, or web pages, are viewed using web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox and Safari.

How the Web works

The Web is powered by three main technologies:

1. HTML (HyperText Markup Language) Language used to structure and present the content of web pages.
2. HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) Communication protocol used to transmit data between the browser and the web server.
3. URL (Uniform Resource Locator) Unique address used to identify each resource on the Web.

Users access the Web by entering a URL into their browser, which sends an HTTP request to the server. The server responds by returning the requested web page, which is then made visible to the browser.

Web history

The beginnings

• 1989 Tim Berners-Lee, a researcher at CERN, proposes the concept of the Web to facilitate document sharing between scientists.
• 1990 The first web page describing Berners-Lee's project goes online.
• 1991 The Web becomes accessible to the public, marking the start of its rapid expansion.

The Evolution

• 1993 Launch of the Mosaic browser, popularizing the Web for the general public.
• 1994 Tim Berners-Lee founds the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to standardize Web technologies.
• 2000s Web 2.0 sites appear, featuring interactive content and user participation (blogs, social networks).

Impact of the Web

About the Company

The Web has transformed the way we communicate, work and access information. It has facilitated the emergence of social networks, streaming services and e-commerce, revolutionizing many sectors.

On the Economy

The digital economy, fueled by the Web, has created new business opportunities and new economic models. Companies like Amazon, Google and Facebook have emerged, profoundly altering the global economic landscape.

Conclusion

The Web is a major innovation that continues to evolve and influence our daily lives. From its humble beginnings at CERN to its current ubiquity, the Web remains a fundamental pillar of the digital age, offering unprecedented access to information and connecting billions of people around the world.

For more information on web development and related technologies, visit our website consult our glossary.