hypertexts

Hypertext is a non-linear text that includes links to other texts. When a user clicks on a link, they are taken to a new document or section of a document. This allows for a more interactive and engaging reading experience. Hypertext was first conceived by Vannevar Bush in his 1945 article "As We May Think," where he envisioned a device called the "Memex" that would allow users to link related documents together.

The World Wide Web is a prime example of hypertext in action. Websites are composed of linked pages, allowing users to navigate between them by clicking on hyperlinks. This interconnectedness is what makes the web so vast and useful. Hypertext is not limited to the web; it can be found in various digital formats, including e-books, help systems, and interactive multimedia applications.

The core components of hypertext are nodes and links. Nodes are individual units of information, such as a page, a paragraph, or an image. Links are the connections between these nodes, allowing users to move from one node to another. These links can be simple text-based anchors or more complex navigational elements. Hypertext enables readers to explore information in a way that suits their own interests and needs, diverging from the traditional linear reading of print media. It is a foundational concept for much of modern digital information sharing and retrieval.