Chapter 2 Introduction to Web Technology

1 Introduction to the Internet

1.1 Definition
The Internet is a global network of interconnected computer networks that enables communication and
information exchange between people, organizations, and devices around the world. It has revolutionized
the way we live, work, and communicate with each other.
The origins of the Internet can be traced back to the 1960s when the United States Department of
Defense created a network called ARPANET to connect researchers and scientists across the country. Over
time, other countries and organizations joined the network, and it eventually evolved into the global Internet
that we know today.
The Internet allows users to access and share a vast array of information, including text, images, audio,
and video. This information is stored on servers located all around the world, and users can access it through
a web browser or other software applications.
One of the most significant features of the Internet is its ability to connect people from different parts
of the world in real-time through various communication channels such as email, instant messaging, and
video conferencing. This has made it easier for people to collaborate and work together, regardless of their
physical location.
As the Internet has continued to evolve, it has given rise to various new technologies and services,
including social media, e-commerce, cloud computing, and online entertainment. These innovations have
had a profound impact on the way we live our lives, and it's likely that the Internet will continue to shape
our future in ways we can't even imagine yet.

1.1.1 Apps
An app web, also known as a web application or a web app, is a software program that runs on a web server
and is accessed using a web browser. Unlike traditional software applications that are installed on a
computer or mobile device, app webs do not require any software installation or downloads, making them
more accessible and easier to use.
App webs can be designed for a wide variety of purposes, such as e-commerce, social networking,
project management, online education, and more. They are typically built using web development
technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and various web frameworks and libraries.
One of the main advantages of app webs is that they can be accessed from any device that has an
internet connection and a web browser, such as a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. This
makes them highly portable and convenient for users who need to access the application on the go.
App webs can also be updated and maintained more easily than traditional software applications, as
updates can be deployed directly to the web server without requiring users to download and install new
software. This allows for more frequent updates and bug fixes, resulting in a more reliable and secure
application.
In recent years, app webs have become increasingly popular, and many companies and organizations
are shifting towards web-based applications as they offer more flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness
compared to traditional software applications

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1.1.2 Terminology
Terminology on the internet refers to the specific set of words, phrases, and acronyms that are
commonly used to describe various aspects of the online world. It includes technical terms related to
computer networks, software, hardware, and internet protocols, as well as slang and jargon that have
emerged from online communities and culture.
Some common examples of internet terminology include:
IP address: A unique numerical identifier assigned to every device connected to the internet.
HTTP: Stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, a set of rules for exchanging files on the web.
URL: Stands for Uniform Resource Locator, the address of a web page or resource on the internet.
DNS: Stands for Domain Name System, a system that translates domain names into IP addresses.
Cookies: Small text files stored on a user's computer by a website, used for tracking and storing user
preferences.
Overall, internet terminology is important for effective communication on the web and understanding
the technical and cultural aspects of the online world.

1.2 Web search

Web search, also known as internet search, is the process of using a search engine to find information
on the World Wide Web. It involves entering a keyword or a phrase into a search engine's search bar, and
the search engine will then retrieve a list of web pages and other online content that match the search
criteria.

1.2.1 Research tools

Research tools are software applications, online platforms, or physical tools designed to assist individuals
in conducting research. These tools can help in various stages of the research process, such as gathering
information, analyzing data, organizing resources, and collaborating with other researchers.
Research tools can be specialized for a specific field or subject, or they can be general-purpose tools that
can be applied across many fields. They may also be free or available for purchase, and may be available
as standalone software or as web-based applications.
Examples of research tools include citation managers, survey tools, data analysis software, note-taking
applications, and reference management software. Researchers use these tools to streamline their work and
increase their productivity.
Choosing the right research tools can be crucial to the success of a research project, as it can impact the
quality and efficiency of the research process. Factors to consider when selecting research tools may include
the type of research, the size of the project, the available budget, and the level of technical expertise
required.

1.2.1.1 Search engines

Web search engines are online tools that allow users to search for and find information on the internet. They
use complex algorithms and software programs to scan the internet and index web pages, which can be
searched by users based on specific keywords or phrases.
Some of the most popular web search engines include:

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 • Google: The most widely used web search engine, accounting for over 90% of all search queries.
Google uses a complex algorithm that takes into account various factors, such as website content,
user behavior, and backlinks, to rank search results.
• Bing: Microsoft's web search engine, which accounts for around 5% of search queries. Bing uses
a similar algorithm to Google, but also integrates with other Microsoft services, such as Cortana
and Microsoft Edge.
• Yahoo: One of the oldest web search engines, Yahoo has now been largely surpassed by Google
and Bing. Yahoo uses its own search algorithm, but also integrates with Bing search results.
• DuckDuckGo: A privacy-focused search engine that does not track user behavior or collect
personal information. DuckDuckGo uses its own search algorithm and sources results from a
variety of sources, including its own web crawler.
• Baidu: The most popular search engine in China, Baidu uses a similar algorithm to Google but
with a focus on Chinese language and culture.
In addition to traditional web search engines, there are also specialized search engines that focus on specific
types of content, such as images, videos, news, and academic research. These search engines use their own
algorithms and sources to provide more targeted results for specific types of content.
Overall, web search engines play an important role in helping users find information on the internet, and
they continue to evolve and improve their algorithms to provide more accurate and relevant search results.

1.2.1.2 Directories
Directories, also known as web directories, are online platforms that organize websites into categories and
subcategories based on their content and subject matter. They provide a hierarchical structure of links to
web pages, with each category and subcategory providing a set of relevant links to web resources.
Directories are different from search engines in that they do not use complex algorithms to search for and
index web pages, but instead rely on a human-edited approach to categorizing and organizing websites.
This means that the websites included in directories are usually reviewed and approved by human editors
before being added to the directory.
Some examples of directories include:

• DMOZ (Open Directory Project): One of the oldest and most well-known directories on the web,
DMOZ is a volunteer-run platform that categorizes websites into topics and subtopics. It covers a
wide range of subjects and provides links to websites that are approved by volunteer editors.
• Yahoo Directory: A directory operated by Yahoo, which categorizes websites into various topics
and subtopics. The directory is no longer actively maintained, but the archived content is still
available online.
• Best of the Web: A directory that provides links to high-quality websites in various categories,
including arts, business, education, health, and science. The directory is curated by a team of editors
who review and approve each submission.
• Business.com: A directory that focuses on business-related websites and resources. It provides
links to websites in various categories, such as marketing, finance, technology, and management.
Overall, directories can be a useful tool for users who are looking for high-quality websites and resources
on specific topics. They offer a more structured approach to finding information on the web and can provide
a curated selection of links to relevant resources. However, they have been largely replaced by search
engines as the primary tool for finding information on the web.

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1.2.1.3 Automatic indexing
Automatic indexing is the process of using software to scan and analyze the content of a web page,
document, or other text-based resource and generate an index of its content. This process is typically used
in search engines and other information retrieval systems to quickly and efficiently organize large amounts
of data and make it easily searchable.
The process of automatic indexing typically involves several steps, including:

• Text extraction: The software extracts the text from the resource and removes any non-text
content, such as images or formatting codes.
• Tokenization: The software breaks the text into individual words or tokens and removes stop
words, such as "the" and "and," which are common but not relevant for indexing.
• Stemming: The software reduces each word to its base form, or stem, to account for different forms
of the same word (e.g., "run," "ran," "running").
• Language processing: The software identifies the language of the text and applies language-
specific rules for stemming and stop word removal.
• Indexing: The software creates an index of the words in the text and the locations where they
appear, along with other metadata, such as the title of the resource, the URL, and the date it was
created.
The resulting index can then be used to quickly and efficiently search for resources that match a given
query. Search engines typically use more advanced indexing algorithms that take into account factors such
as relevance and popularity to rank search results and provide users with the most relevant results for their
queries.
Overall, automatic indexing is an essential tool for organizing and searching large amounts of text-based
data, and it has played a key role in the development of search engines and other information retrieval
systems.

1.2.1.4 Browsers
A web browser, also known as a browser, is a software application used to access and view content on the
World Wide Web. Browsers allow users to navigate the internet and access websites by interpreting and
displaying web pages written in HTML, CSS, and other programming languages.
Some of the most popular web browsers include:

• Google Chrome: The most widely used web browser, with over 60% of the market share. Chrome
is known for its speed, stability, and user-friendly interface, and it offers a wide range of extensions
and add-ons.
• Mozilla Firefox: A popular open-source browser that offers a high level of customization and
privacy features. Firefox is known for its fast and reliable performance and its commitment to user
privacy.
• Microsoft Edge: The default browser on Windows 10, Edge is a modern, fast, and efficient browser
that offers integration with other Microsoft services and features.
• Apple Safari: The default browser on Apple devices, Safari is known for its speed, reliability, and
strong security features.
• Opera: A fast and lightweight browser that offers a range of features and customization options,
including a built-in VPN and ad blocker.
Browsers provide a range of features to enhance the user experience, such as bookmarks, tabs, and history,
which allow users to easily access and manage their browsing history. Browsers also provide various
security features, such as pop-up blockers, phishing protection, and secure browsing modes.

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Overall, browsers are an essential tool for accessing and navigating the internet, and they continue to evolve
and improve to provide users with a better browsing experience.

1.2.2 Refining the search

Refining a search is the process of using various techniques and tools to improve the accuracy and relevance
of search results. Search engines provide a range of options for refining searches, including:

• Using specific keywords: Choosing specific and relevant keywords can help narrow down the
search results to the most relevant resources. Using quotes around a phrase can help search for the
exact phrase, and using the minus sign (-) can exclude specific terms from the search results.
• Using advanced search operators: Many search engines provide advanced search options that
allow users to refine their searches using specific criteria, such as date, file type, language, and
location. For example, using "filetype:pdf" in a search query will only show results that are in PDF
format.
• Using filters: Some search engines allow users to apply filters to the search results to narrow down
the results based on specific criteria, such as website, author, and topic.
• Using synonyms and related terms: Expanding the search to include synonyms and related terms
can help uncover relevant resources that may not have been included in the initial search results.
• Browsing related content: Browsing related content, such as forums, blogs, and social media, can
provide additional insights and perspectives on a topic that may not be included in the initial search
results.
Overall, refining a search is an important skill for finding the most relevant and accurate information on a
given topic. By using specific keywords, advanced search operators, filters, and related content, users can
improve the quality of their search results and find the information they need more quickly and efficiently.

1.2.2.1 Choice of keywords

Choosing the right keywords is an important part of conducting an effective web search. Keywords are the
words or phrases that describe the topic or information that you are looking for. By choosing the right
keywords, you can improve the accuracy and relevance of your search results.
Here are some tips for choosing effective keywords:

• Be specific: Use specific and descriptive words that accurately describe the topic or information
you are searching for. Avoid using general or vague terms that could return irrelevant search results.
• Use synonyms: Use synonyms and related terms to expand your search and uncover additional
resources that may not be included in your initial search results.
• Use quotation marks: Use quotation marks around phrases to search for the exact phrase. For
example, searching for "climate change" in quotation marks will only return results that contain
that exact phrase.
• Use advanced search operators: Use advanced search operators to refine your search by using
specific criteria, such as location, date, and file type.
• Avoid using common words: Avoid using common words, such as "the," "and," and "in," as they
are usually ignored by search engines and can return irrelevant search results.
• Think like your target audience: Try to think about the words and phrases that your target
audience would use to describe the topic or information you are searching for.
Overall, choosing the right keywords is an important part of conducting an effective web search. By using
specific and descriptive terms, synonyms, quotation marks, advanced search operators, and avoiding
common words, you can improve the accuracy and relevance of your search results and find the information
you need more quickly and efficiently.

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1.2.2.2 Boolean operators
Boolean operators are words or symbols used to create a logical relationship between search terms when
conducting a web search. There are three basic Boolean operators:

• AND: The "AND" operator is used to narrow a search and retrieve results that contain all of the
specified search terms. For example, searching for "cats AND dogs" will only return results that
contain both the word "cats" and the word "dogs".
• OR: The "OR" operator is used to broaden a search and retrieve results that contain any of the
specified search terms. For example, searching for "cats OR dogs" will return results that contain
either the word "cats" or the word "dogs", or both.
• NOT: The "NOT" operator is used to exclude specific terms from the search results. For example,
searching for "cats NOT dogs" will return results that contain the word "cats" but not the word
"dogs".
Boolean operators can be used in combination to create more complex searches. For example, searching
for "(cats OR dogs) AND food" will return results that contain either the word "cats" or the word "dogs",
as well as the word "food".
Using Boolean operators can help you to refine and narrow your search results to find the most relevant
information on a given topic. By combining different search terms and using Boolean operators, you can
create more precise and effective searches

1.2.2.3 Adjacency, truncation

Adjacency and truncation are two additional search techniques that can be used to improve the accuracy
and relevance of search results.
Adjacency: Adjacency refers to the search for two or more words that are located next to each other in the
search results. By using the adjacency search operator (usually represented by a quotation mark or a tilde),
you can search for words that are adjacent to each other in the search results. For example, searching for
"climate change"~10 will return results that include the phrase "climate change" within 10 words of each
other.
Truncation: Truncation is the use of a wildcard character to expand the search to include all possible
variations of a word. By adding a truncation symbol (usually an asterisk) to the end of a root word, you can
search for all possible forms of that word. For example, searching for "comput*" will return results that
include words like "computer," "computers," "computing," etc.
Using adjacency and truncation can help you to expand your search and find information that you may not
have otherwise found. By using these search techniques in combination with Boolean operators and other
search strategies, you can create more precise and effective searches that return the most relevant results.

1.2.3 Queries by fields, advanced search

Queries by fields and advanced search are additional search techniques that can be used to refine and narrow
search results. These techniques are typically used in more advanced search engines and allow users to
specify search terms based on specific fields or criteria.
Queries by fields: Queries by fields refer to the ability to search for specific keywords or phrases within
specific fields of a document or website, such as the title, author, or date. By using field-specific search
terms, you can narrow your search results to only those documents or websites that contain the specific
information you are looking for.

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Advanced search: Advanced search refers to the ability to search for specific criteria, such as location,
language, date, file type, and more. By using advanced search options, you can narrow your search results
based on specific criteria, making it easier to find the information you need.
Both queries by fields and advanced search options can be accessed through the search engine's advanced
search interface, which allows users to specify the criteria for their search. By using these advanced search
techniques, you can create more precise and effective searches, which return the most relevant results.

1.2.4 Other research tools

There are a number of other research tools that can be used in addition to search engines to help you find
and analyze information on the internet. Some examples include:

• Reference works: Reference works, such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, and atlases, can be useful
for providing background information and context on a particular topic.
• Digital libraries: Digital libraries, such as the Digital Public Library of America, provide access
to digital versions of books, photographs, and other materials from libraries and museums around
the world.
• Data repositories: Data repositories, such as the Inter-university Consortium for Political and
Social Research (ICPSR), provide access to research data for use in statistical analysis.
• Citation tools: Citation tools, such as Zotero and Mendeley, can be used to organize and manage
references and citations for research papers and other projects.
• Social media: Social media platforms, such as Twitter and LinkedIn, can be useful for finding and
connecting with experts and other researchers in your field.
• Online forums: Online forums, such as Reddit and Quora, can be useful for finding answers to
specific questions and connecting with other individuals who share your interests.
By using a combination of search engines and these other research tools, you can expand your search and
find more relevant and reliable information on a given topic.

References:
There are many books on the topic of web technology, including introductory texts for beginners. Here are
a few examples:

• "Web Development and Design Foundations with HTML5" by Terry Felke-Morris - This book
provides an introduction to web development and design, including HTML5 and CSS.
• "HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites" by Jon Duckett - This book provides a beginner-
friendly introduction to HTML and CSS, with plenty of examples and illustrations.
• "Learning Web Design: A Beginner's Guide to HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Web Graphics" by
Jennifer Niederst Robbins - This book covers the basics of web design, including HTML, CSS, and
JavaScript, as well as web graphics and responsive design.
• "Web Design with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery Set" by Jon Duckett - This book set
provides a comprehensive introduction to web design and development, including HTML, CSS,
JavaScript, and jQuery.
• "Head First HTML and CSS: A Learner's Guide to Creating Standards-Based Web Pages" by
Elisabeth Robson and Eric Freeman - This book uses a visual, interactive approach to teach the
basics of HTML and CSS.

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 Table of Content
Chapter 2 Introduction to Web Technology .......................................................................................... 1
1 Introduction to the Internet ........................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Definition .............................................................................................................................. 1
1.1.1 Apps .................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1.2 Terminology ...................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Web search ............................................................................................................................ 2
1.2.1 Research tools ................................................................................................................... 2
1.2.1.1 Search engines ............................................................................................................... 2
1.2.1.2 Directories ..................................................................................................................... 3
1.2.1.3 Automatic indexing ....................................................................................................... 4
1.2.1.4 Browsers ........................................................................................................................ 4
1.2.2 Refining the search............................................................................................................ 5
1.2.2.1 Choice of keywords ....................................................................................................... 5
1.2.2.2 Boolean operators .......................................................................................................... 6
1.2.2.3 Adjacency, truncation.................................................................................................... 6
1.2.3 Queries by fields, advanced search ................................................................................... 6
1.2.4 Other research tools .......................................................................................................... 7