Wireless connectivity with different devices is at the forefront of technological advancements in the 21st century.
The ability to connect with millions of devices from around the world is a truly remarkable feat, considering how fast and easy global connections have become over the years.
Both WAP and the internet are examples of such a wide-scale global network.
Key Takeaways
- WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) enables mobile devices to access web content, while the internet is a global network connecting computers and devices.
- WAP provides a simplified version of web content for mobile devices, whereas the internet offers the complete web experience for computers.
- WAP uses a specific markup language (WML), while the internet uses HTML for displaying web pages.
WAP vs Internet
The difference between WAP and the Internet is that WAP is a Wireless Application Protocol that is used to connect the handheld to create a network for sending information. On the other hand, the Internet is a wide network global connection of local computers, which is practically used for all wireless data transfer applications.
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WAP stands for Wireless Application Protocol, which is a standard developed for connecting wireless handheld devices, like mobile phones, to create a network for sharing information.
WAP allowed users to exchange electronic information such as emails, download music and video files, and even share games on the wireless device network.
The Internet is a global, wide-area network of a large number of computers connected to each other on a wireless grid. The Internet allows users to transfer and receive files on a global scale from any part of the world.
The Internet was earlier developed as a military application, but it quickly took over the consumer electronics world.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | WAP | Internet |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | WAP stands for Wireless Application Protocol | Internet is a global network of a large number of computers connected over a wireless grid |
| Devices | This network comprises only Handheld devices, like mobile phones | Any computing device, such as computers, laptops, phones can be connected to the network |
| Outreach | WAP network is comparatively smaller | The Internet is a larger network compared to WAP |
| Protocols | Some of the protocols that WAP includes are WSP, WTP, WDP, and so on | Internet protocols include HTTP, TCP-IP, and HTTPS |
| Architecture language | WAP network is made using WML script | The Internet is made mostly using JavaScript |
What is WAP?
WAP stands for Wireless Application Protocol and is a method developed for connecting handheld devices in a wireless grid. It allows users to transfer information on the wireless network.
WAP comprises different protocols which enable different services on the network.
Some of the protocols used for WAP are WSP, which is Wireless Session Protocol, WTP, which is wireless Transaction protocol, and WTLS, which is Wireless Transport Layer Security.
These protocols allow the network to function smoothly by enabling features for file transfer and security on the network. The network is comparatively smaller than the Internet, which only supports handheld devices.
In the WAP network, the WAP gateway allows users to connect their devices to the web servers to access the features of the Internet, such as the ability to share electronic mail.
Users can also transfer data files among each other. These include MP3 and music files, video and picture files, games, and other small programs.
Thus although the WAP network is smaller compared to the internet, it has similar potential.
The WAP network was introduced in 1999 and was at its peak in the early 2000s, with millions of devices connected over an international network.
But by the late 2010s, the network was superseded by more capable networks, such as the Internet.
What is Internet?
The Internet is a wide-area network of a large number of computers connected on a global grid. The network comprises many small and local area networks across different regions, spanning the entire world.
These small networks comprise different computing devices, such as computers, laptops, and smartphones, which are used to transfer files from these devices to other devices.
The internet was initially designed as a military project in the US, as a means to create a massive grid of powerful military computers. But it quickly spread among computer and technology enthusiasts as a powerful tool for accessing global information.
By the late 90s, the Internet had become the backbone for sharing electronic information to different parts of the world, with simple and quick accessibility.
The Internet architecture consists of web servers that can be accessed using different browsers, such as Google, Mozilla Firefox, and so on. Servers are mainframe computers that hold massive amounts of data.
The functional part of the Internet is made using JavaScript, which is then connected to the grid using HTTP and HTTPS protocols.
These protocols provide different functions to the internet, such as the ability to transfer files, add security to the network, and so on.
Main Differences Between WAP and Internet
- WAP stands for Wireless Application Protocol. The Internet is a global network of a large number of computers connected over a wireless grid.
- WAP network comprises only of Handheld devices, like mobile phones. Any computing device, such as computers, laptops, and phones, can be connected to the Internet
- WAP network is comparatively smaller than the Internet
- Some of the protocols that WAP includes are WSP, WTP, WDP, and so on. Internet protocols include HTTP, TCP-IP and HTTPS
- WAP network is made using WML script. The Internet is made mostly using JavaScript
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/841780/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389128600000414
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
