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Internet vs WWW; client-server paradigm
Short answer
The Internet is the global network infrastructure using TCP/IP, while the WWW is an information system of linked documents using HTTP and HTML. Client-server paradigm splits work: a server provides resources and a client requests them, offering centralized data, scalability, and easy maintenance.
Difference between internet and WWW. Explain Client Server computing paradigm and provide its importance.
Difference between Internet and WWW
| Basis | Internet | WWW |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Global network of connected networks (hardware infrastructure) | Collection of linked web pages and resources (a service) |
| Nature | Physical and logical network | Information system on top of the Internet |
| Protocols / standards | TCP/IP, SMTP, FTP, etc. | HTTP/HTTPS, plus HTML and URLs |
| Invented | 1969 (ARPANET), TCP/IP 1983 | 1989-91 by Tim Berners-Lee |
| Services | Carries web, email, FTP, VoIP, etc. | Only one service: hypertext documents |
| Access | Needs cables, routers, ISP | Needs a web browser |
The Internet is the road; the WWW is one kind of traffic that runs on it.
Client-server computing paradigm
In the client-server model, work is divided between two kinds of programs. A server provides a service or resource and waits for requests. A client starts communication, sends a request and displays the response. The client and server may run on different machines connected by a network.
+--------+ 1. request (HTTP) +--------+
| Client | -------------------> | Server |
|Browser | <------------------- | Web + |
+--------+ 2. response (HTML) | DB |
+--------+
Example: a browser (client) requests a page from an Apache web server; the server returns HTML.
Importance
- Centralised data and control: Data, security and backups are managed on the server.
- Resource sharing: Many clients share one database, printer or file store.
- Scalability: More clients or more powerful servers can be added independently.
- Easy maintenance: Updating the server updates the application for all users.
- Specialisation: Clients can be light devices; heavy processing happens on the server.
- Security: Access control is enforced in one place.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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