How the Web Works

Since you're reading this web page right now, you probably know at least a little about how the web works already. The World Wide Web is a part of the Internet, which is a global network of computer networks. The "web" part of the World Wide Web is the way that files and graphics can be linked to each other via hypertext.

In a hypertext document, clicking on a link (also called a hyperlink) takes you to a related document. Links can be text, or they can be graphics. The document you are viewing right now is an HTML file. HTML is the formatting language used to create web pages, and HTML files can be viewed in a web browser such as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer.

The HTML files and graphics at the MSU-Billings web site are stored on the campus web server. A web server stores files just like a desktop computer; the difference is that the web server has been configured to share these files over the Internet.

Here are some resources for learning more about the basics of the World Wide Web and the Internet.

• PCWebopedia: find out what computer jargon really means
• Learn the Net: also available in German, Spanish, French, and Italian!
• The Help Web: a gentle introduction to the Internet
• Internet Histories: find out how it all started
• Search Engine Watch: learn how to search the Internet effectively

This article was provided complements of the IT Department, Montana State University-Billings.