This content originally appeared on DEV Community 👩💻👨💻 and was authored by Akshay Kurhekar
Hi, welcome back Wow 🥳 Web3 very Interesting topic let’s try to understand it in detail.
Before starting about the web let’s first discuss what actually the difference between the internet and the web 🖥️
So, do you think the internet and the web are the same things or they are different?
Let's see…
Basically, we can interpret the internet as linking other computers around the world and the web as connecting people who can share and access information via the internet. So, to make it simple we can say that the internet is a big bookstore while the web is a collection of books in that store.
Let's begin the journey to understand different versions of sharing and accessing the information that is shared on networks of computers (internet)
WEB1
So, in the process of sharing information via the internet, the first version was WEB1.0 invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 which provided information primarily in form of text and image format means static content was provided rather than dynamic content because users accessing that information cannot manipulate elements on it due to which Web1 was called as read-only web.
To make it simple we can think of Web1 as a library that can be used to get information in form of text and images but its content cannot be changed in any way.
Web1 was made up of a small number of people generating content for a large audience and a small number of people were highly skilled and experienced technical content creators.
Now, we were getting all the information through Web1 then what was the need for Web2??
Let’s see some of the cons of Web1
As discussed that Web1 does not provide dynamic content so users can download but cannot see how an application works and cannot contribute to its process which means to contribute to the process one should be skilled web developer or technically experienced content creator
The most important drawback of Web1 was that users were not able to interact if someone wanted to change some content or give their feedback or create their own content (which everyone wants today ) that was not possible via Web1 thus Web1 was considered as a one-way communication
So seeing the initial breakthrough of Web1 capabilities Darcy DiNucci invented Web2 in her jan 1999 in which most of the people were engaged in creating even more content rather than just reading (as in Web1)
Web2 does not refer to any specific upgradation to the internet, it refers to a shift that how the internet is used in a new era of the internet there is a high level of information sharing and interconnection among participants, everyone wants to share their ideas with rest of the world, making youtube videos and delivering content that is accessible all around the world etc.
So Web2 eliminated the read-only capability of Web1 by providing active participation rather than just acting as a passive viewer who takes information(Web1) and one need not to be a highly skilled content creator to contribute in process of Web2 as, in Web1 because Web2 is open source that means source code is freely available and thus users can easily see how an application works and make a modification or even build new applications unlike in Web1
Now again if all the capabilities of Web1 were covered by Web2, then why is Web3 needed?
So let's see the drawbacks of Web2
So Web2 not only provided information to us but also started getting information from us which was the major upgradation thus in Web2 client makes an http request to server and if everything is correct it will send back the response so the major flaw is that all the data submitted by user is stored on centralized server controlled by companies which means we have no control over our data or how it is kept or used and interestingly if government feels someone is expressing a viewpoint that opposes their agenda, servers are taken down or bank account are seized
The big companies that control the servers in which our data is stored are using the data without our permission so that they can serve us better content which would make us use the website more thus providing more data to them, and they make money from it.
Most of us does not want such type of things like someone else is owner of our data, server are controlling us like they can use our information in many way they want
Thus no one wants that their secret information should be used, that is they want to be the owner of their own information/data which is currently owned by servers of big companies.
Thus Web3 is the answer to this dilemma. Instead of a Web monopolized by large technology companies, Web3 embraces decentralization and is being built, operated, and owned by its users. Web3 puts power in the hands of individuals rather than corporations.
So, where does all the backend logic is stored??
For backend logic Web3 allows developers to develop smart contracts which will specify the backend logic that runs on ethereum blockchain. A smart contract is an open-source code which anyone can view and use but cannot tweak without permission. Thus the backend logic is written using smart contracts which will be executed on a blockchain engine like for ethereum is EVM (ethereum virtual machine).
For EVM to execute the logic in smart contract, logic is compiled into bytecode so that EVM easily understands the logic and executes it easily.
Bit confusing 🤔???
To make it simple we can say that instead of centralized server which are used in Web2 to store the logic we use smart contracts to define the logic of our application which are deployed on blockchain and shared with everyone, thus backend in Web3 resides in peer to peer network that everyone can contribute and see
And frontend here is focused on communicating with these smart contracts.
Thus Web3 enables end to end encryption which allows users to be more confidential and anonymous which means it helps users to be the owner of their own data.
FAQ
What is the key difference between Web2 and Web3?
Web2 and Web3 are different generations of the World Wide Web, each with its own characteristics and features.
Web2, also known as the "Read-Write Web," is characterized by the rise of social media, user-generated content, and dynamic web applications that allow users to interact with each other and share information. It is a centralized, client-server architecture where data is stored on central servers and users access it through their browsers.
On the other hand, Web3 is a decentralized and trustless internet that uses blockchain technology and decentralized applications (dApps) to provide a more secure, transparent, and user-centric online experience. In Web3, data is stored on a distributed network of computers, rather than on central servers, and users have more control over their personal data and online interactions.
In summary, the key differences between Web2 and Web3 are:
Centralization vs Decentralization: Web2 is centralized, while Web3 is decentralized.
Control over data: In Web2, data is controlled by central servers and intermediaries, while in Web3, users have more control over their personal data.Trust: Web2 relies on intermediaries and centralized authorities for trust, while Web3 uses cryptographic algorithms and decentralized consensus mechanisms for trust.
User experience: Web2 focuses on user experience through dynamic web applications, while Web3 prioritizes user sovereignty and control over data and interactions.
In summary, Web1 was a read-only web, Web2 is a read-write web, and Web3 is a decentralized and trustless internet.
Check out other posts 🎉 as well:
Happy learning 😀 Keep reading it makes you more powerful 💪
See you in the next blog 🧾.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community 👩💻👨💻 and was authored by Akshay Kurhekar
Akshay Kurhekar | Sciencx (2023-02-08T07:27:25+00:00) What is Web3, and its Evolution ✨.. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2023/02/08/what-is-web3-and-its-evolution-%e2%9c%a8/
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