---
title: "Web documents, browser, information retrieval"
subject: "Web Technology"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_7/web_technology:web-documents-browser-retrieval"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/web_technology/web-documents-browser-retrieval
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Web documents, browser, information retrieval

Web Technology · Chapter 2: Web basics

- Asked in: 2074 Chaitra, 2+2 marks
- Video: [What happens when you type a URL into your browser?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlkDbnbv7dk) — ByteByteGo
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/web_technology/web-documents-browser-retrieval
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/web_technology/chapter-2

## Question

Define web documents and web browser? Explain major steps of information retrieval.

## Short answer

A web document is an HTML resource identified by a URL, and a browser is client software that requests and renders it. Retrieval steps are URL entry, DNS lookup, TCP connection, HTTP request, server processing, HTTP response, and rendering.

## Answer

#### Web document
A **web document** (web page) is a file on a web server, written mostly in HTML, that can contain text, images, links, audio, video and scripts. It is identified by a URL. Types: static (fixed HTML file), dynamic (generated by server scripts such as PHP) and active (contains client-side scripts like JavaScript).

#### Web browser
A **web browser** is client software that requests web documents from servers, interprets HTML/CSS/JavaScript and displays them to the user. Examples: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari. Main parts: user interface, rendering engine, JavaScript engine and networking component.

#### Major steps of information retrieval
1. **URL entry:** The user types a URL or clicks a link.
2. **DNS lookup:** The browser resolves the domain name to the server's IP address.
3. **Connection:** A TCP connection is opened to the server (port 80, or 443 with TLS for HTTPS).
4. **HTTP request:** The browser sends a request such as `GET /index.html HTTP/1.1` with headers.
5. **Server processing:** The web server locates the file or runs a script/database query to build the page.
6. **HTTP response:** The server returns a status code (200 OK, 404 Not Found) and the HTML content.
7. **Rendering:** The browser parses HTML, fetches linked CSS, images and scripts, and displays the page.
8. **Close/reuse:** The connection is closed or kept alive for further requests.

```text
URL -> DNS -> TCP connect -> HTTP GET
    -> Server finds/generates page -> HTTP response
    -> Browser renders page
```

## Check yourself

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

1. Which list gives the types of web documents?
   A. Client, server and proxy
   B. Text, image and video
   C. HTTP, FTP and SMTP
   D. Static, dynamic and active
   Answer: D. Static are fixed HTML, dynamic are generated by server scripts, active contain client-side scripts. (Key point: Types of web documents)

2. What is a web browser?
   A. Client software that requests documents and renders them
   B. A server storing pages
   C. A DNS server
   D. A database
   Answer: A. Browsers interpret HTML/CSS/JavaScript and display them. (Key point: Browser)

3. Which order is correct?
   A. HTTP request, DNS lookup, URL entry, TCP connection
   B. URL entry, DNS lookup, TCP connection, HTTP request
   C. TCP connection, URL entry, HTTP request, DNS
   D. DNS lookup, rendering, URL entry, request
   Answer: B. The browser must resolve the IP and connect before sending a request. (Key point: Order of steps)

4. What does the server's HTTP response include?
   A. Only the IP address
   B. Only the URL
   C. A status code (e.g. 200 OK, 404 Not Found) and content
   D. A DNS record
   Answer: C. The response carries a status code and the HTML. (Key point: Status codes)

## Related in other subjects

- [Information retrieval in cloud](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finformation_system%3Air-importance-in-cloud) — Information System, chapter 7
- [Browser features; POP, SMTP, IMAP comparison](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finternet_and_intranet%3Apop-smtp-imap-compare) — Internet and Intranet, chapter 3, asked 2×
- [HTTP request methods; web server and virtual hosting](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finternet_and_intranet%3Ahttp-methods-config-virtual-hosting) — Internet and Intranet, chapter 4
- [Virtual hosting types; name-based steps](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finternet_and_intranet%3Avirtual-hosting-types-named-steps) — Internet and Intranet, chapter 4, asked 2×