WWW

The World Wide Web (WWW or the Web) is a system of interlinked hypertext documents and resources accessed via the Internet. It uses URLs to identify resources, the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP or HTTPS) to transfer them, and web browsers to render and display content. Most Web content is written in HTML and may include text, images, video, and interactive elements.

The Web was conceived in 1989 by Tim Berners-Lee while at CERN. He proposed a universal information system based on hypertext, integrated with a simple markup language and a standard method for linking documents. The first website and browser went online in 1990, and the Web became public in 1993–1994.

Technically, the Web follows a client–server architecture in which browsers request resources from servers using URLs. Core technologies include HTML for structure, HTTP for transport, and the use of hyperlinks to connect documents. Over time, CSS, JavaScript, and multimedia formats broadened capability, while security moved toward HTTPS with encryption.

Governance and standards for the Web are coordinated by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), founded in 1994 by Berners-Lee. The W3C and related groups develop and publish specifications for HTML, CSS, and other Web technologies to promote interoperability and openness across platforms and organizations.

The Web has had profound social and economic impact by enabling rapid information sharing, e-commerce, education, and global communication. It faces ongoing challenges related to privacy, security, copyright, and accessibility, prompting ongoing development of safer, more private, and accessible Web technologies and practices.