Describe how web pages are located, retrieved and displayed on a device when a user enters a URL

How the Internet Finds Your Web Page 📡

Think of the Internet like a giant library that is spread across the whole world. When you type a web address (URL) into your browser, you’re basically asking the library to fetch a specific book for you.

Step‑by‑Step Journey of a URL 🌐

  1. 🔍 Enter the URL – You type something like https://www.example.com into your browser.
  2. 📬 Resolve the Domain – The browser asks a Domain Name System (DNS) server to translate the human‑readable name www.example.com into a machine‑readable IP address, e.g. 192.0.2.1 ($192.0.2.1$).
  3. 🛤️ Route the Request – Using the IP address, your device sends a request through routers and switches (like postal trucks) to reach the web server that hosts the site.
  4. 💾 Server Responds – The server receives the request, looks up the requested file (e.g., index.html), and sends it back over the Internet.
  5. 🖥️ Browser Renders – Your browser receives the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, then builds the page you see on your screen, just like a librarian arranging books on a shelf.

Key Terms You’ll Need to Know 📚

Term Definition
URL (Uniform Resource Locator) The web address you type into the browser.
DNS (Domain Name System) A system that translates domain names into IP addresses.
IP Address A unique number that identifies a device on the Internet.
HTTP/HTTPS Protocols that define how data is transferred between your browser and the server.

Exam Tips for the IGCSE 📑

1️⃣ Remember the Flow: Use the order “URL → DNS → IP → Server → Browser” when answering process questions.

2️⃣ Define Terms Clearly: Show you know what DNS and IP addresses are; give examples.

3️⃣ Use Analogies: Comparing the Internet to a postal service or library can make your answer memorable.

4️⃣ Show Understanding of Security: Mention HTTPS and why it’s safer than HTTP.

5️⃣ Practice Diagramming: Draw a simple flowchart (you can sketch it on paper) to illustrate the steps.

Revision

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