Final Project: Tech Topic Connection to IT Fundamentals

 Few inventions have reshaped the modern world like the Internet and the Web. What began as a Cold War-era experiment in decentralized communication has evolved into the heartbeat of modern civilization. Virtually every function of society today relies on the internet and its accessibility. This blog post aims to explore the Internet and the Web as a foundational component of Information Technology, linking its evolution to the core principles of computing, hardware, programming, software, databases, and network architecture. Today, the Internet is more than just a method of communication; it’s become an ecosystem, a public stage for anyone to showcase any information, or a space to sit and absorb knowledge. The field of Information technology is partly dependent on the existence of the Internet and vice versa.

The Internet and the Fundamentals of Information Technology
What began as a secure military communication safeguard in the case of nuclear catastrophe during the Cold War, ARPANET laid the groundwork for a new interconnected world that would expand far beyond anyone could have foreseen. The Internet and the Web encapsulate key themes in Information Technology, including data transmission, protocol layers, and user interface design. The Internet refers to the vast, interconnected network of physical devices. At the same time, the Web, short for World Wide Web, is a software-based system layered atop the Internet, built primarily through protocols like HTTP and languages like HTML and JavaScript. The internet mirrors the fundamentals of information technology by integrating various IT principles such as data management, software and applications, security, and connectivity/communication.

The fundamental design of the Web aligns with the basic architecture of computers. They are structured similarly because both are designed to display or retrieve data as instructed. Every webpage viewed, file downloaded, or video streamed reflects a coordinated process involving binary data stored in memory, retrieved by a processor, and rendered through a browser interface. Without a deep understanding of the core principles of computing, such as data structures, instructions, input/output, and operations, the web would cease to function.

Hardware Component: The Skeletal Structure of the Internet
Though the Internet and Web appear intangible, their existence is rooted in the hardware backbone of modern computing. Routers, modems, switches, servers, and user devices like smartphones and laptops are all part of the Internet's physical infrastructure. Each time a user clicks on a link, their device's CPU processes input, accesses memory, and communicates via a network interface card (NIC), transmitting data packets through fiber optics or wireless networks to faraway servers.

Cloud computing services like Amazon Web Services (AWS) rely on vast server farms that process, store, and deliver content globally. These servers run on the same hardware principles discussed: memory, input/output systems, and storage management. Without components like the motherboard, RAM, and storage drives, the digital services we know and love would be useless.

Programming: The Tongue and Voice of the Internet
The web exists and speaks in programming. Low-level languages such as assembly and Python carry the operating systems that support Web servers. Actual programming languages are needed for specifying the detailed behavior of Web pages and their interaction with users, as well as connecting to databases and other data sources and Web services needed for the given application (Henderson, 2021). The World Wide Web is built with high-level languages: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript; All working in unison to create the very webpage this blog exists on. Backend languages like Python, PHP, and Ruby manage server logic, while SQL communicates with databases. These programming layers reflect how complex systems are simplified into modular, comprehensible functions.

Application Software: The Eyes With Which The Internet Sees
The role of application software is crucial to shaping the Internet and the Web itself. Web browsers are perhaps the most critical application software in relation to the Web. A web browser is software that allows users to access and view websites. It interprets HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code to display web pages and content. Web browsers provide an interface for users to interact with websites and enable users to navigate between pages, click on links, and submit forms (Ahmad, 2024). They serve as the user’s gateway, the entry door to the Web itself. Beyond browsers, software applications of various kinds exist and are accessible through the internet. Music creation software, web development software, and security software all exist for the internet and are accessible through the internet.

Databases: The Internet’s Memory Banks
Internet services cannot function without data. Databases are the beating heart of the internet.  Every login, purchase, search query, or social media post is recorded, managed, and stored somewhere. This data is then structured and managed through databases. These databases rely on Structured Query Language (SQL) to communicate with web applications, and they are hosted on back-end servers with multi-user access. Databases have to be efficiently structured and securely managed. The Internet is exponentially growing every day. Database management systems (DBMS) must be scaled to accommodate billions of users and the enormous amount of information traffic. Like an intricate network of veins to the beating heart, the internet is deeply entangled in data systems.

Securing The Internet: Protecting The Blood Cells of Data
The Web lives and breathes through networks. Internet Protocol (IP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) form the digital circulatory system, managing packet delivery and ensuring that data is sent, received, and confirmed. For this reason, security is a major concern in today’s hyper-connected environment. The rise of cybersecurity threats, ranging from phishing and DDoS attacks to ransomware and zero-day vulnerabilities, highlights the need for robust security practices. It also fuels my ambition to join the fight to protect data and pursue a career in cybersecurity. The HTTPS protocol, SSL certificates, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems exemplify how the Web adapts to the evolving landscape of digital threats. Understanding these security mechanisms is not optional; it’s essential for anyone entering the IT field. Everyone carries a digital DNA, and protecting everyone’s personal data is non-negotiable.

Conclusion
The Internet and the Web are not just conveniences/luxuries. They are the core of our civilization. Their existence and continued evolution encapsulate nearly every facet of Information Technology: hardware, software, networks, databases, and security. As we move forward into a world increasingly dominated by cloud services, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, a strong foundational knowledge of how the Web works becomes indispensable. This blog has been an opportunity to explore the topic and recognize its central place in modern technology. By understanding the Internet and the Web through the lens of IT fundamentals, we are better prepared to innovate, secure, and shape tomorrow's digital world.

References

Ahmad, Mir Shehzad. Fundamentals of Internet Programming, Toronto Academic Press, 2024. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ashford-ebooks/detail.action?docID=31545522.

Henderson Harry. (2021). Internet applications programming. Facts On File.

TestOut Corp. (2024). CertMaster Learn Tech+. http://www.testout.com