How the Web Works: Putting It All Together
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes when you type a website URL into your browser and hit enter? The final part of the "How the Web Works" series, Putting It All Together, ties together all the key components that make the web function seamlessly.
The Journey of a Web Request
When you request a webpage, a lot happens before it appears on your screen. Here's a simplified breakdown of the process:
- DNS Resolution: Your computer first needs to find the server's IP address. It queries the Domain Name System (DNS) to get this information.
- Communication via HTTP: Once the IP is known, your computer sends a request using the HTTP protocol, which defines how browsers and servers communicate.
- Web Server Response: The web server receives the request and returns various resources like HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and images.
- Rendering the Website: Your browser takes these files and assembles them into the fully formatted webpage you see.
More Behind-the-Scenes Components
Beyond the basics, the course also introduced several crucial web technologies that enhance performance and security:
- Load Balancers: Distribute traffic across multiple servers to improve speed and reliability.
- Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Store cached versions of web pages closer to users for faster load times.
- Databases: Store and retrieve dynamic content like user accounts and comments.
- Web Application Firewalls (WAFs): Protect websites from cyber threats like SQL injections and DDoS attacks.
Understanding Web Servers
A web server is specialized software that listens for incoming requests and delivers web content using the HTTP protocol. Some of the most common web servers include:
- Apache
- Nginx
- IIS
- Node.js
Additionally, the course covered concepts like virtual hosts (hosting multiple sites on one server), static vs. dynamic content, and backend scripting languages that power interactive websites.
Wrapping Up
The module concluded with a quiz, challenging learners to arrange the 11 key steps in the web request process in the correct order. Up next in the learning journey: Linux Fundamentals.
Finishing the "How the Web Works" module also earned me another badge!
