When a user enters a website URL (Uniform Resource Locator) in a web browser, the web browser makes a request to the web server associated with that URL. The web server is responsible for hosting the website and delivering the requested web pages and resources to the user's browser. The request is typically made using the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) or HTTPS (HTTP Secure) protocols, depending on whether the website uses a secure connection.
The web browser sends an HTTP request to the web server, specifying the URL of the website and the specific resource or page being requested. This request includes a method (such as GET or POST) that indicates the desired action, headers that provide additional information about the request, and any necessary data or parameters.
Upon receiving the request, the web server processes it and determines the appropriate response. It retrieves the requested resource, such as an HTML file, image, CSS stylesheet, or JavaScript file, from its storage or generates it dynamically. The web server then constructs an HTTP response containing the requested resource, appropriate status codes (e.g., 200 for a successful response), headers, and other relevant information.
The web server sends the HTTP response back to the user's web browser, which interprets the response and renders the web page or resource accordingly. The web browser processes the HTML, executes any embedded scripts or stylesheets, and displays the final rendered webpage to the user.
This entire process of the web browser making a request to the web server and receiving a response is fundamental to how websites are accessed and displayed in a user's web browser. It enables the seamless retrieval and presentation of web content over the internet.