The Web and HTTP-based Systems

- Overview

The World Wide Web, commonly known as the Web, is a global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to transmit data. 

HTTP is the foundational protocol for data communication on the Web, enabling web browsers (clients) to request and receive information from web servers. 

Key Components of the Web and HTTP-based Systems:

• HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): An application-layer protocol for transmitting hypermedia documents, such as HTML pages. It's a client-server protocol where requests are initiated by the client (e.g., web browser) and responses are sent by the server. HTTP is stateless, meaning each request-response pair is independent and does not retain information about previous interactions.
• HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure): A secure version of HTTP that uses TLS/SSL encryption to secure communications between the client and server. This encryption protects sensitive data from interception and provides authentication for the server.
• Web Browsers: Software applications that act as user agents, retrieving, presenting, and allowing users to interact with information on the Web. They interpret and render HTML, CSS, and execute JavaScript code.
• Web Servers: Computer programs that store web server software and other files related to a website (e.g., HTML documents, images, JavaScript files). They listen for incoming HTTP requests and serve the requested content to the client.
• HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): The standard markup language for creating web pages and web applications. It defines the structure and content of a web page.
• CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): A style sheet language used for describing the presentation of a document written in HTML. It controls the visual appearance of web pages.
• JavaScript: A programming language that enables interactive and dynamic content on web pages.
• APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): Interfaces, often based on HTTP, that allow different software systems to communicate and exchange data. Examples include the Fetch API for making HTTP requests from JavaScript.

How HTTP-based Systems Work: 

• Request: A user enters a URL into a web browser, which then sends an HTTP request message to the web server hosting the website.
• Processing: The web server receives the request, processes it, and retrieves the requested resources (e.g., HTML, images).
• Response: The server sends an HTTP response message back to the browser, containing the requested data and a status code indicating the outcome of the request (e.g., 200 OK for success, 404 Not Found for an error).
• Rendering: The browser receives the response, assembles the data, and renders the web page for the user.

Evolution of HTTP: 

HTTP has evolved through several versions (HTTP/0.9, HTTP/1.0, HTTP/1.1, HTTP/2, HTTP/3) to improve efficiency, performance, and security. Notably, HTTP/2 introduced multiplexing and header compression, while HTTP/3 shifted from TCP to UDP (via QUIC) for reduced latency and improved performance, particularly in mobile and high-latency networks.

- The Rise of Web Components

The World Wide Web, commonly known as the Web, is a global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to transmit data. HTTP is the foundational protocol for data communication on the Web, enabling web browsers (clients) to request and receive information from web servers. 

Key Components of the Web and HTTP-based Systems: 

• HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): An application-layer protocol for transmitting hypermedia documents, such as HTML pages. It's a client-server protocol where requests are initiated by the client (e.g., web browser) and responses are sent by the server. HTTP is stateless, meaning each request-response pair is independent and does not retain information about previous interactions.
• HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure): A secure version of HTTP that uses TLS/SSL encryption to secure communications between the client and server. This encryption protects sensitive data from interception and provides authentication for the server.
• Web Browsers: Software applications that act as user agents, retrieving, presenting, and allowing users to interact with information on the Web. They interpret and render HTML, CSS, and execute JavaScript code.
• Web Servers: Computer programs that store web server software and other files related to a website (e.g., HTML documents, images, JavaScript files). They listen for incoming HTTP requests and serve the requested content to the client.
• HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): The standard markup language for creating web pages and web applications. It defines the structure and content of a web page.
• CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): A style sheet language used for describing the presentation of a document written in HTML. It controls the visual appearance of web pages.
• JavaScript: A programming language that enables interactive and dynamic content on web pages.
• APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): Interfaces, often based on HTTP, that allow different software systems to communicate and exchange data. Examples include the Fetch API for making HTTP requests from JavaScript.

[More to come ...]