The World Wide Web (WWW) is a system of interlinked hypertext documents and resources accessible via the internet. Invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, it revolutionised information sharing, enabling users to navigate between web pages using hyperlinks. It became publicly available in 1991.the evolution of the World Wide Web, each marked by distinctive features and functionalities.
Web 1.0 (The Static Web)
- Period: Early 1990s to early 2000s
- Features:
- Web 1.0 represents the earliest stage of the internet, where websites were largely static and read-only.
- Users could only consume information, without the ability to interact or contribute.
- Websites were basic, with simple designs, static text, and images.
- Content was updated infrequently and there was minimal user engagement.
- Technologies like HTML, GIFs, and basic web browsers (e.g., Netscape) were predominant.
- Examples: Company websites, personal blogs, or portals like Yahoo! that offered information without interactive features.
Web 2.0 (The Social and Interactive Web)
- Period: Early 2000s to present
- Features:
- Web 2.0 marked the shift from static web pages to a more dynamic, user-generated, and interactive web.
- Users can actively participate by creating, sharing, and interacting with content, leading to the growth of social media, blogs, wikis, and video-sharing platforms.
- Technologies like AJAX, JavaScript, and HTML5 enabled more responsive and interactive web experiences.
- Web 2.0 emphasised collaboration, social networking, and crowdsourcing, with platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Wikipedia being prime examples.
- Mobile apps and cloud computing are integral to this stage.
- Examples: Social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter), user-generated content (YouTube, WordPress), and collaborative projects (Wikipedia).
Web 3.0 (The Semantic and Decentralised Web)
- Period: Emerging (mid-2010s to future)
- Features:
- Web 3.0 envisions a more intelligent, interconnected, and decentralised web, where data is understood and processed by machines in a more meaningful way.
- It focuses on the semantic web, where data is not only displayed but also interpreted to provide more personalised and context-aware experiences.
- Decentralisation is a key aspect, with technologies like blockchain driving a move away from centralised control.
- Emphasis on AI, machine learning, and Big Data enables applications to process and deliver more precise and tailored content.
- Ownership and control of data shift to users through decentralised technologies, such as cryptocurrencies and decentralised apps (dApps).
- Enhanced privacy and security mechanisms are a focal point.
- Examples: Blockchain-based applications (Ethereum, Bitcoin), decentralised finance (DeFi), and semantic search engines.