Is a formal set of instructions that can be used to produce various kinds of output, including software applications, algorithms, and data processing. Programming languages provide a way for developers to communicate with computers, enabling them to specify operations and control the behavior of hardware.

Computers were able to communicate with each other in the 60s in the 20th century, but all of them did this in their own unique way. There is no commonly accepted protocol to establish a connection. In On January 1, 1983, ARPANET officially switched to the TCP/IP standard, which had been developed earlier. This was the birth of the internet. 41 since then.

How did email begin to be widely used

In 1971 Ray Tomlinson sent the first mail message between two computers on the ARPANET, introducing the now-familiar address syntax with the '@' symbol designating the user's system address. But in parallel with ARPANET, other companies were also developing email systems with similar functionality.

History of the web and its development through time

05.03.2024

18.12.2024

6 minutes

251

A short introduction

The history of the Internet is a fascinating guide through the evolution of web technologies, from its earliest steps to the formation of modern mega portals. This amazing journey is riddled with innovation, technological revolutions, and sociocultural changes. Let's look at the key stages of this fascinating history, which created the virtual environment that has become an integral part of our daily lives.

The birth of ARPANET

In 1969, ARPANET, funded by the US Defense Research Agency (ARPA), became the starting point in the history of the Internet. This project created the first network, connecting computers to exchange data, and foreshadowing the World Wide Web.

Four universities—UCLA, Stanford, UC Santa Barbara, and the University of Utah—became part of the first network, connecting their computers on October 29, 1969. An attempt to transmit a "LOGIN" message between UCLA and Stanford was the first exchange of data, although the system broke down after entering two letters.

He introduced the concept of packet data transmission, which allowed information to be broken down into small units for efficient transmission. This approach ensured network resilience and more efficient use of resources.

The development of ARPANET led to the creation of key technologies such as the Data Communications Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP). These standards remain fundamental to the modern Internet, defining how data is transmitted and addressed across the network.

ARPANET not only provided the technical basis for the Internet, but also created an environment for the exchange of ideas and information. This was the first step towards creating a global virtual community united through network technologies.

ARPANET, as the forerunner of the Internet, opened up new perspectives and became a source of impetus for further innovation. In the following parts, we will look at how these ideas became the World Wide Web and continued their evolutionary path.

The first website and the emergence of WWW

In 1991, a significant event occurred that changed the idea of interaction with the Internet. Tim Berners-Lee, a scientist at CERN, created the first website and introduced the HTML markup language, marking the beginning of the era of ease and accessibility in creating web pages.

Tim Berners-Lee

Tim Berners-Lee developed the World Wide Web (WWW) to facilitate the exchange of information among scientists. In 1991, he created the first website that described the World Wide Web project and provided information about the basic workings of this new system.

By the way, he is still working, and you can get to know him yourself. Here is the link: http://info.cern.ch/hypertext/WWW/TheProject.html

Accompanying this development was the introduction of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). HTML made it possible to create structured documents containing hypertext links for communication between pages. It was a key tool that allowed users to not only read information, but also interact with it.

The development of HTML provided a simple and efficient way to create web pages, and hypertext links provided navigation between different documents. This has made creating and publishing your own web pages accessible to a wider audience, which in turn has contributed to the exponential growth of the web space.

The birth of the first websites and the HTML language was a watershed moment in the history of the Internet, opening the door to millions of people wanting to share information and create content. In the following parts, we will look at how these innovations led to the formation of the modern web and changes in the way we perceive information.

The Dawn of the Internet, the Dotcom Boom, and the Browser Wars

The 1990s were a time of intense Internet activity, characterized by browser rivalry and the rise of Internet startups. This era gave rise to the dot-com boom and, subsequently, the collapse of many companies.

cnet website

apple website

ebay website

In the mid-1990s, a “browser war” began between Netscape and Microsoft. Netscape Navigator, the original leader, faced competition from Internet Explorer, provided by Microsoft. This struggle has driven innovation in web technologies and standards.

In the late 1990s, the Internet became a springboard for the growth of new companies known as "dot-coms." Investors poured massive funds into these Internet startups, inspired by the promise of innovative ideas and technological advancement.

This period, called the "dot-com boom", was characterized by rapid growth in the value of shares of Internet companies, despite their often unprofitable operations. The euphoria in the market reached its peak, and many companies became publicly traded.

However, in 2000, the dot-com boom turned into a bust. Many Internet companies, lacking sustainable business models, have faced financial difficulties and bankruptcy. This was an important lesson in the history of the internet, highlighting the importance of sustainability and financial responsibility in technology.

The era of Web 2.0 and social networks

The 2000s saw a variety of technological advancements in web programming, leading to the emergence of the Web 2.0 era. This period was characterized by the rise of dynamic web applications and a strong emphasis on interactivity and social media.

Since the beginning of the new millennium, web development has become more complex and diverse due to the emergence of new technologies. JavaScript, Ajax (asynchronous JavaScript and XML), and other tools have become widely used to create dynamic web applications, allowing users to interact with content without reloading the page.

The very concept of Web 2.0, introduced in 2004, highlighted a shift in focus from static websites to more dynamic, interactive platforms. Web 2.0 introduced the idea of the web as a platform where users could not only consume content but also actively participate in the creation and sharing of it. Social media has become an integral part of Web 2.0, providing platforms for information sharing, user content creation, and social interaction. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have become symbols of this era, connecting millions of people in virtual space.

facebook

Good old twitter

And YouTube

The development of web programming in the 2000s emphasized the importance of interactivity and user participation in the web environment. Web 2.0 was not only a technological advancement but also a sociocultural shift that shaped the modern Internet landscape.

Mobile Internet

With the advent of smartphones and tablets in the 2000s, there have been significant changes in how we interact with the Internet. Mobile devices have become an integral part of everyday life, ushering in a new era of the mobile revolution and the rise of mobile web applications.

Since the release of the first iPhone in 2007, smartphones and tablets have evolved from simple communication tools to powerful handheld computers. Equipped with mobile Internet and a variety of sensors, they provided unique opportunities for interacting with the web.

The first iPhone with Steave Jobs holding it

Mobile devices have redefined web accessibility, allowing users to access web applications anytime, anywhere, creating a new level of mobility and convenience.

With the development of mobile devices, the idea of mobile web applications has become relevant. These applications offer a user experience comparable to traditional applications but provide access to functionality through the mobile device's web browser. The development of mobile web applications has become the next important stage in the evolution of interaction with the Internet, providing a more flexible and convenient environment for use.

Conclusion

The history of the web has been a fascinating journey of development and innovation. From the advent of the first computer networks and ARPANET, through the birth of the World Wide Web and the era of browser wars, to the mobile revolution and the rise of mobile web applications, each stage has left its mark on the creation of virtual space.

Modern technologies continue to shape the future of the Internet, introducing new concepts and improved methods of interaction. Understanding the history of the web is key to assessing the contribution of each phase to creating the world we know today.

This story not only reflects technological progress but also testifies to sociocultural transformations, the impact of which on our everyday experience cannot be overestimated. In the future, with new challenges and opportunities, the history of the web will continue to shape the landscape of technology and the associated virtual world.

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Programming language ⟶ Is a formal set of instructions that can be used to produce various kinds of output, including software applications, algorithms, and data processing. Programming languages provide a way for developers to communicate with computers, enabling them to specify operations and control the behavior of hardware.