Date- 23/08/2025

Chapter Notes: The Internet and Web Services

This document provides detailed notes on fundamental concepts related to the Internet and its applications,
as per the Class 12 Informatics Practices (065) NCERT syllabus.

1. The Internet

• Definition: The Internet is a global network of interconnected computer networks. It is a vast public
network that connects millions of computers and other electronic devices worldwide, allowing them
to communicate and share information.

• Key Characteristics:

o Decentralized: No single entity owns or controls the Internet.

o Packet-switched: Data is broken down into small packets before being sent.

o Uses TCP/IP: The primary communication protocol suite is Transmission Control

• How it Works: Data travels through a complex web of cables (fiber-optic, copper), satellite links, and
wireless connections, routed by specialized computers called routers.

2. Applications of the Internet

The Internet provides a wide range of services and applications that have transformed how we live, work, and
communicate. Some of the major applications include:

• The World Wide Web (WWW): A system of interlinked hypertext documents and other resources,
accessed via the Internet. It is a massive collection of web pages, websites, and applications.

• Electronic Mail (Email): A method of exchanging digital messages between people. It is a

• Chat: Real-time text-based communication between two or more people over the Internet. Examples
include instant messaging applications like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Discord.

• Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP): A technology that allows voice communication and multimedia
sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. It is the foundation for services like Skype and other
internet-based calling apps.

• File Transfer: The ability to send and receive files over the Internet using protocols like FTP (File
Transfer Protocol).

• E-commerce: Conducting business transactions online, including buying and selling goods and
services.

• Online Banking and Financial Services: Managing bank accounts, making payments, and trading
stocks online.

• Social Networking: Platforms that allow users to build social networks or social relations with other
users who share similar personal or career interests.
3. The World Wide Web (WWW)

• Definition: The WWW, or simply the Web, is a system of interconnected documents and resources
identified by URLs (Uniform Resource Locators). It is an application of the Internet, not the Internet
itself.

• Key Concepts:

o Hypertext: Text with links to other web pages or resources.

o URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The address of a web resource, e.g.,

o HTTP/HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol/Secure): The protocol used to transfer data on the
Web.

4. Electronic Mail (Email)

• Definition: A system for sending and receiving digital messages over a computer network.

• Components of an Email Address: [email protected]

• Protocols Used:

o SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): Used to send emails from an email client to an email
server.

o POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3): Used by an email client to retrieve emails from a server.

o IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol): An advanced protocol that allows users to
manage emails on the server without downloading them, allowing for synchronization across
multiple devices.

5. Website

• Definition: A collection of related web pages and other resources (like images, videos, etc.) that are
grouped together under a single domain name and hosted on a web server.

• Example: All the pages under www.ncert.nic.in form the NCERT website.

6. Purpose of a Website

Websites serve a variety of purposes for individuals, businesses, and organizations:

• Information Sharing: Providing information about products, services, events, or topics.

• Communication: Acting as a platform for communication with customers, clients, or the public.

• Marketing and Sales: Promoting a brand, selling products (e-commerce), and generating leads.

• Entertainment: Offering games, videos, music, and other forms of media.

• Education: Providing online courses, educational resources, and research papers.

• Personal Expression: Serving as a personal blog, portfolio, or a space to share personal interests.
7. Web Page

• Definition: A single document, typically written in HTML, that is part of a website. It is the basic unit of
information on the World Wide Web.

• Structure: A web page is a file that contains content (text, images, video) and formatting instructions
(HTML, CSS).

• Access: Accessed via a web browser using a specific URL.

8. Static and Dynamic Web Pages

• Static Web Page:

o Content: The content is fixed and does not change unless the page's source code is manually
updated by a developer.

o Technology: Primarily built using HTML, CSS, and some JavaScript.

o Characteristics: Loads quickly, simple, and is suitable for sites where content is rarely
updated (e.g., a simple brochure website).

• Dynamic Web Page:

o Content: The content is generated in real-time based on user interaction, data from a
database, or other factors.

o Technology: Requires server-side scripting languages like PHP, Python, Java, etc., and a
database (e.g., MySQL).

o Characteristics: Interactive, personalized, and suitable for applications like e-commerce

9. Web Server

• Definition: A computer program that stores website files (web pages, images, CSS files, etc.) and
delivers them to users' web browsers upon request.

• Functionality: When a user types a URL in their browser, the browser sends a request to the web
server that hosts the website. The server then processes the request and sends the requested files
back to the browser.

• Examples: Apache HTTP Server, Microsoft IIS, Nginx.

10. Hosting of a Website

• Definition: The service of providing the space on a server for a website to be available on the Internet.

• Mechanism: A web hosting provider rents out space on their web servers, allowing individuals and
organizations to store their website files and make them accessible to the public.

• Types of Hosting: Shared hosting, dedicated hosting, VPS (Virtual Private Server), cloud hosting.
11. How to Host a Website?

1. Choose a Domain Name: Select and register a unique name for your website (e.g.,
www.mywebsite.com).

2. Select a Web Hosting Provider: Choose a hosting company and a plan that meets your needs.

3. Upload Website Files: Use an FTP client or the hosting provider's file manager to upload your
website's files to the web server.

4. Configure DNS Settings: Update the domain's DNS (Domain Name System) settings to point to the
web server's IP address.

5. Test the Website: Check if the website is accessible and functioning correctly.

12. Browser

• Definition: A software application used to access and display web pages on the World Wide Web.

• Functionality:

o Sends requests for web pages to web servers.

o Interprets HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code.

o Renders the web page visually on the user's screen.

• Examples: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Apple Safari.

13. Browser Settings

Browser settings are user-configurable options that allow you to customize your browsing experience.
Common settings include:

• Homepage: The page that opens when you launch the browser.

• Default Search Engine: The search engine used when you type a query in the address bar.

• Privacy and Security: Options for managing cookies, browsing history, pop-up blockers, and site
permissions.

• Appearance: Customizing themes, fonts, and zoom levels.

• Downloads: Specifying the default location for downloaded files.

14. Add-Ons and Plug-ins

• Add-On/Extension: A small software program that adds new features or functionality to a web
browser. Examples include ad blockers, password managers, and web-clipping tools.

Key characteristics of browser extensions:

• Functionality: They can do a wide variety of things, such as:

o Blocking ads: An ad-blocker extension prevents ads from loading on web pages.

o Password management: Extensions like LastPass or 1Password securely store and auto-fill
your login credentials.
 o Productivity tools: Extensions like Grammarly can check your spelling and grammar as you
type in any text field.

o Appearance customization: They can change the look of a web page (e.g., a "dark mode"
extension).

• Plug-in (Legacy): A software component that adds a specific feature to a program. While historically
significant (e.g., Adobe Flash Player), modern browsers have largely moved away from traditional plug-
ins due to security and performance issues, favoring extensions and built-in capabilities.

Plug-ins

A plug-in is a software component that adds a specific feature to a program. In the past, browser plug-ins
were crucial for displaying certain types of content that the browser couldn't handle natively.

Key characteristics of browser plug-ins -

• Content Handling: They were primarily used to play multimedia content or display rich documents
directly within the browser window.

• Examples: The most famous examples of browser plug-ins were:

o Adobe Flash Player: Used to play animations, games, and videos.

o Java Applets: Used for interactive content and applications.

o Adobe Reader: Enabled viewing of PDF files directly in the browser.

15. Cookies

In web browsing, a "cookie" is a small text file that a website stores on your computer. When you visit a
website, the server sends a cookie to your browser, which then stores it. The next time you visit that same
website, your browser sends the cookie back to the server, allowing the website to "remember" information
about you and your previous activity.

Cookies are primarily used for three main purposes:

• Session Management: They allow websites to remember you as you navigate from page to page. For
example, a cookie keeps you logged into a website so you don't have to re-enter your credentials on
every new page you visit. They are also used to keep track of items in your shopping cart on an e-
commerce site.

• Personalization: Cookies can store your preferences, such as language settings, font sizes, or a
website's theme, to customize your browsing experience. This way, the website can display content
tailored to your choices.

• Tracking: Cookies can record your browsing behavior across multiple websites. This data is often
used by advertisers to build a profile of your interests and show you targeted advertisements. These
are often referred to as "third-party cookies" because they are set by a domain other than the one you
are currently visiting.