The internet, World Wide Web and web browsers
The internet is the worldwide network of networks; the World Wide Web is one service on it, made of linked pages read with a browser.
Internet vs World Wide Web
Key internet terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ISP (internet service provider) | A company that connects homes and businesses to the internet |
| IP address | A unique number that identifies each device on a network |
| Domain name | A readable name for a website, e.g. cbsl.gov.lk; .lk is Sri Lanka's country code |
| DNS (domain name system) | Turns domain names into IP addresses, like a phone book |
| URL | The full address of a web page |
| HTTP / HTTPS | Rules for sending web pages; the S means secure (encrypted) |
| Hyperlink | Clickable text or image that opens another page |
| Search engine | A website that finds pages by keywords, e.g. Google |
What happens when you open a web page
Parts of a URL: https://www.example.lk/products/tea.html
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| https:// | Protocol: secure web page |
| www.example.lk | Domain name of the web server |
| .lk | Top-level domain: Sri Lanka |
| /products/tea.html | Path to the page on that server |
Web browser features
- Address bar to type a URL or a search.
- Tabs to open several pages at once.
- Bookmarks (favourites) and history.
- Back, forward and refresh buttons.
- Private (incognito) browsing.
- Padlock sign showing a secure HTTPS connection.
- Extensions (add-ons) for extra tools.
Sri Lankan websites end in .lk, such as cbsl.gov.lk for the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, with gov.lk marking government sites. Businesses and homes reach the internet through ISPs such as SLT-Mobitel, Dialog and Hutch.
Short answer: “What is a URL? Give an example.” A Uniform Resource Locator is the full address of a web page, e.g. https://www.cbsl.gov.lk.
Structured question: “Distinguish between the internet and the World Wide Web.” The internet is the global network of networks (TCP/IP). The web is one service on it: linked pages sent by HTTP and viewed in browsers.
Essay: “Explain the internet and the World Wide Web, and the role of web browsers.” Define both, explain ISPs, IP addresses, DNS, URLs and HTTP, show how a page loads, then describe browser functions.
Internet = the roads; web = the shops along the roads; browser = your vehicle; DNS = the address book.