• The Communications Layer

  • 1 The Big Picture

• The Information Layer

  • 2 Binary Values and Number Systems

  • 3 Data Representation

• The Hardware Layer

  • 4 Gates and Circuits

  • 5 Computing Components

• The Programming Layer

  • 6 Low-Level Programming Languages and Pseudocode

  • 7 Problem Solving and Algorithms

  • 8 Abstract Data Types and Subprograms

  • 9 Object-Oriented Design and High-Level Programming Languages

• The Operating Systems Layer

  • 10 Operating Systems

  • 11 File Systems and Directories

• The Applications Layer

  • 12 Information Systems

  • 13 Artificial Intelligence

  • 14 Simulation, Graphics, Gaming, and Other Applications

• The Communications Layer

  • 15 Networks

  • 16 The World Wide Web

  • 17 Computer Security

• In Conclusion

  • 18 Limitations of Computing

The evolution of the World Wide Web has made network communication a convenient reality for many users who would otherwise avoid computers completely. As the name implies, the Web has created spider-like connections across the entire planet, forming an infrastructure of information and resources, and making them available at the click of a mouse button. Several different underlying technologies make the Web the productive tool it is today. This chapter explores a few of them and establishes a foundation of web-based principles on which all future technologies likely will rely.