what is the internet?

The internet is a vast global system of interconnected computer networks and electronic devices that communicate with each other using standardized protocols. It functions as a "network of networks" that allows users worldwide to share information, communicate, and access online services almost instantly. The internet was originally designed to enable research computers to connect and communicate but has grown into a public resource used for information, social interaction, commerce, and much more. It works by breaking data into small packets sent across various networks and reassembled at the destination, utilizing technologies like routers, switches, and communication protocols such as TCP/IP.