How a Web Operation works?

A web operation, often referred to as a web request or HTTP request, is a fundamental process that takes place when a user interacts with a website or web application. It involves the exchange of data between a client (usually a web browser) & a server (where the website or application is hosted). Understanding how a web operation works is essential for developers, web administrators, and anyone interested in how information is exchanged on the internet. In this article, we'll break down the process of a web operation and explain each step involved.

1. URL Entry:

The web operation begins when a user enters a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) into their web browser's address bar. The URL specifies the location of the web page or resource they want to access. For example, entering "https://www.example.com" in the address bar initiates a request to the "example.com" website.

2. DNS Resolution:

Once the user hits Enter, the browser needs to resolution the domain name to an IP address. It sends a Domain Name System (DNS) query to a DNS server. The DNS server returns the IP address associated with the domain name, allowing the browser to know where to send the request. This step is crucial for locating the web server hosting the requested content.

3. Initiating a Connection:

With the IP address obtained from DNS resolution, the browser establishes a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection with the web server. TCP is a dependable connection-oriented protocol that ensures data integrity during communication.

4. Sending an HTTP Request:

After the joining is established, the browser sends an HTTP request to the web server. The request includes several components:

HTTP Method: Specifies the type of request (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.).

Headers: Additional information about the request, such as user-agent, accept-language, and cookies.

Path: The specific resource on the server that the browser is requesting (e.g., "/index.html").

Query Parameters: Additional data sent with the request, often used for dynamic content (e.g., "?id=123").

5. Processing the Request on the Server:

Upon receiving the HTTP request, the web server processes it based on the information provided. It locates the requested resource, executes any server-side code (such as database queries or scripting languages like PHP), and prepares to send a response back to the client.

6. Generating an HTTP Response:

The web server makes an HTTP response containing the requested content. The response includes: 

Status Code: Designates whether the request was successful or encountered an error (e.g., 200 OK, 404 Not Found).

Headers: Information about the response, such as content-type, content-length, and server details.

Body: The actual content of the response, which could be HTML, images, text, JSON, or any other type of data.

7. Sending the HTTP Response:

The web server sends the HTTP reply back to the browser over the established TCP connection.

8. Rendering the Page:

The browser receives the HTTP response and begins processing it. If the response contains HTML, the browser parses the HTML, retrieves additional resources (such as CSS, JavaScript, and images) referenced in the HTML, and renders the web page accordingly.

9. Displaying the Web Page:

Once the browser has processed the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, it displays the fully rendered web page to the user. The user can interact with the page, click links, submit forms, and trigger additional web operations.

10. Client-Side Interaction:

As the worker interacts with the web page, the browser may initiate additional web operations, such as making AJAX requests to fetch data from the server without reloading the entire page.

11. Closing the Connection:

After the user has finished interacting with the web page or if a period of inactivity occurs, the browser may close the TCP connection to free up resources.

Conclusion:

A web operation is a series of steps that let users to access and interact with content on the internet. From entering a URL to rendering a web page, each stage involves communication between the client (browser) and the server. This process enables users to access a vast array of information and services online, making the web operation a foundational concept in the world of web development and digital communication.