---
title: "Internet vs WWW; client-server paradigm"
subject: "Web Technology"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_7/web_technology:internet-vs-www-client-server"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/web_technology/internet-vs-www-client-server
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Internet vs WWW; client-server paradigm

Web Technology · Chapter 1: Introduction

- Asked in: 2074 Chaitra, 2.5+2.5 marks
- Video: [The Client Server Model | Clients and Servers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5BlpPU_muY) — The TechCave
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/web_technology/internet-vs-www-client-server
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/web_technology/chapter-1

## Question

Difference between internet and WWW. Explain Client Server computing paradigm and provide its importance.

## 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.

## Answer

#### 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.

```text
 +--------+  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.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which statement correctly distinguishes the Internet from the WWW?
   A. The Internet is the network infrastructure; the WWW is one service (hypertext documents) running on it
   B. The WWW is the infrastructure and the Internet is one of its services
   C. Both are the same thing
   D. The Internet needs only a browser, the WWW needs routers
   Answer: A. The Internet is the road; the WWW is one kind of traffic on it. (Key point: Internet vs WWW)

2. In the client-server model, which side starts the communication?
   A. The server pushes a request first
   B. The client sends a request
   C. Both start at the same time
   D. The database starts it
   Answer: B. A server waits for requests; the client initiates and displays the response. (Key point: Client role)

3. Why does client-server make maintenance easy?
   A. Each client must be updated manually
   B. Clients store all the data
   C. Updating the server updates the application for all users
   D. Servers are not needed
   Answer: C. Central application on the server means one update serves everyone. (Key point: Importance - maintenance)

4. Which protocols are associated with the WWW rather than with the Internet in general?
   A. SMTP and FTP only
   B. TCP and IP only
   C. DNS and ARP only
   D. HTTP/HTTPS, HTML, URL
   Answer: D. The WWW uses HTTP/HTTPS, HTML and URL; the Internet carries TCP/IP, SMTP, FTP etc. (Key point: Protocols)

## Related in Web Technology

- [Client-side versus server-side scripting](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fweb_technology%3Aclient-vs-server-side-scripting) — Web Technology, chapter 3, asked 3×

## Related in other subjects

- [Client-server vs peer-to-peer](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fcomputer_networks_and_security%3Aclient-server-vs-p2p) — Computer Networks and Security, chapter 1
- [Multiprocessor versus client-server architecture](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Amultiprocessor-vs-client-server) — Software Engineering, chapter 3
- [Client/server architecture and FTP operation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finternet_and_intranet%3Aclient-server-ftp) — Internet and Intranet, chapter 3
- [Server before client; TCP reliability](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fcomputer_networks_and_security%3Atcp-server-before-client-reliability) — Computer Networks and Security, chapter 5, asked 2×