Module 1: The Modern Web Landscape

• 1. What is the Web?

  The web is a system that allows computers to communicate and share information over the Internet.

  Key components:

  • Client: Your browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)

  • Server: The computer that stores websites and sends them to clients

  • Internet: The network connecting clients and servers

Analogy:
Think of the web like a library:

• The server is the library with all the books.

• The client is you visiting the library.

• The Internet is the roads you travel to get there.

How Browsers Work

A browser fetches and displays websites using:

1. URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The web address, e.g., https://www.example.com

2. HTTP/HTTPS: Protocols used to request and transfer data securely

3. Rendering Engine: Converts HTML, CSS, and JS into what you see on the screen

Example:

You type “https://example.com” → Browser sends request → Server responds → Browser renders page

Modern update:

• HTTP/3 is faster than older versions and reduces delays.

• Edge computing allows servers closer to users for faster loading.

3. Developer Tools

Tools to help you build and debug websites:

• Browser DevTools: Inspect HTML/CSS, debug JavaScript

• Code editors: VS Code, Sublime, or WebStorm

• Version control: Git and GitHub for managing your code

Checkpoint: Open Chrome DevTools → Inspect any website → Change a color in the CSS and see the effect live.

Resources:

QUIZ LINK

Quiz: The Web, Browsers, and Developer Tools