Introduction to Web Services Class 12 CBSE (083): WWW, HTML, XML, Domain Name, URL, Website, Web Browser, Web Server & Web Hosting
Class 12 · Computer Science
Introduction to Web Services (CBSE Class 12 Computer Science - 083)
The Internet has revolutionized the way people communicate, learn, work, and conduct business. Most Internet services are provided through the World Wide Web (WWW), where websites and web applications allow users to access information from anywhere in the world. Understanding web technologies is essential for learning how modern websites and online services work.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the concept of Web Services.
- Learn about the World Wide Web (WWW).
- Understand HTML and XML.
- Learn about Domain Names and URLs.
- Understand Websites, Web Browsers, and Web Servers.
- Learn the concept of Web Hosting.
What are Web Services?
Web services are services that are accessed through the Internet using web technologies. They allow users to access information, communicate, perform online transactions, watch videos, shop online, and much more through websites and web applications.
World Wide Web (WWW)
The World Wide Web (WWW), commonly called the Web, is a collection of interconnected web pages and websites that can be accessed through the Internet using a web browser.
The WWW was invented by Sir Tim Berners-Lee in 1989.
Features of WWW
- Collection of billions of web pages.
- Accessible through web browsers.
- Uses HTTP and HTTPS protocols.
- Supports multimedia content such as text, images, audio, and video.
HyperText Markup Language (HTML)
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard markup language used to create and structure web pages.
HTML uses tags to define headings, paragraphs, images, tables, hyperlinks, forms, and other elements displayed on a web page.
Features of HTML
- Easy to learn.
- Uses tags enclosed in angle brackets (< >).
- Defines the structure of a web page.
- Works with CSS and JavaScript to create modern websites.
Example
<html>
<head>
<title>My Website</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome</h1>
<p>This is my first webpage.</p>
</body>
</html>
Extensible Markup Language (XML)
XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a markup language used to store, organize, and exchange data between different applications and systems.
Unlike HTML, XML does not define how data should be displayed. Instead, it focuses on storing and transporting data.
Features of XML
- User-defined tags.
- Platform independent.
- Easy data exchange.
- Self-descriptive structure.
Example
<student>
<rollno>101</rollno>
<name>Riya</name>
<marks>95</marks>
</student>
Difference Between HTML and XML
| HTML | XML |
|---|---|
| Used to display web pages. | Used to store and exchange data. |
| Predefined tags. | User-defined tags. |
| Focuses on presentation. | Focuses on data storage. |
| Used in web page design. | Used for data exchange. |
Domain Name
A Domain Name is the unique and human-readable name of a website. It helps users access websites without remembering numerical IP addresses.
Examples
- www.google.com
- www.cbse.gov.in
- www.wikipedia.org
- www.codestepacademy.in
Advantages
- Easy to remember.
- Unique identity for a website.
- Replaces difficult IP addresses.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the complete address used to locate a web page or resource on the Internet.
Example
https://www.codestepacademy.in/notes/python.html
Parts of a URL
| Part | Example |
|---|---|
| Protocol | https |
| Domain Name | www.codestepacademy.in |
| Path | /notes/python.html |
Website
A Website is a collection of related web pages linked together under a single domain name.
Examples
- Educational websites
- News websites
- E-commerce websites
- Government websites
- Banking websites
Web Browser
A Web Browser is software used to access, retrieve, and display web pages from the Internet.
Popular Web Browsers
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Apple Safari
- Opera
Functions of a Web Browser
- Requests web pages from web servers.
- Displays HTML pages.
- Supports multimedia content.
- Maintains browsing history and bookmarks.
Web Server
A Web Server is a computer or software that stores websites and delivers web pages to users when requested by a web browser.
Functions of a Web Server
- Stores website files.
- Processes client requests.
- Delivers web pages through HTTP/HTTPS.
- Handles multiple users simultaneously.
Examples of Web Server Software
- Apache HTTP Server
- Nginx
- Microsoft IIS
Web Hosting
Web Hosting is a service that provides storage space and resources on a web server so that websites can be accessed through the Internet.
Hosting companies store website files on powerful servers that remain connected to the Internet 24×7.
Features of Web Hosting
- Provides storage space.
- Offers Internet connectivity.
- Makes websites available worldwide.
- Provides security and backups.
Examples of Web Hosting Providers
- Hostinger
- GoDaddy
- Bluehost
- HostGator
- AWS
Relationship Between Web Technologies
User
│
▼
Web Browser
│
▼
Internet
│
▼
Web Server
│
▼
Website Files (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Images)
Comparison of Web-Related Terms
| Term | Purpose |
|---|---|
| WWW | Collection of websites on the Internet. |
| HTML | Creates and structures web pages. |
| XML | Stores and exchanges data. |
| Domain Name | Human-readable website address. |
| URL | Complete address of a web resource. |
| Website | Collection of related web pages. |
| Web Browser | Displays web pages. |
| Web Server | Stores and delivers web pages. |
| Web Hosting | Provides server space for websites. |
Common Theory Mistakes
- Confusing the Internet with the World Wide Web (WWW).
- Assuming HTML stores data like XML.
- Confusing a Domain Name with a URL.
- Thinking a Web Browser stores websites permanently.
- Confusing Web Hosting with a Web Server.
Exam Tips
- Remember: WWW is a service that runs on the Internet.
- HTML is used to create web pages, whereas XML is used to store and exchange data.
- A Domain Name is easier to remember than an IP address.
- A URL is the complete address of a web page or resource.
- A Website is a collection of related web pages.
- A Web Browser requests and displays web pages.
- A Web Server stores website files and responds to browser requests.
- Web Hosting provides server space to make websites available on the Internet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the World Wide Web (WWW)?
The World Wide Web is a collection of interconnected web pages and websites that can be accessed through the Internet using a web browser.
2. What is the difference between HTML and XML?
HTML is used to create and display web pages, whereas XML is used to store and exchange data.
3. What is a Domain Name?
A Domain Name is the unique, human-readable name of a website that replaces its numerical IP address.
4. What is the purpose of a Web Browser?
A Web Browser requests web pages from a web server and displays them to the user.
5. What is Web Hosting?
Web Hosting is a service that stores website files on a web server and makes the website accessible over the Internet.
Summary
- Web services provide Internet-based access to information and applications.
- The World Wide Web (WWW) is a collection of websites available on the Internet.
- HTML creates and structures web pages, while XML stores and exchanges data.
- A Domain Name provides a user-friendly website address, and a URL specifies the complete location of a web resource.
- A Website is a collection of related web pages.
- A Web Browser retrieves and displays web pages from a Web Server.
- Web Hosting provides the server space and infrastructure needed to make websites accessible on the Internet.