Data extraction from websites is referred to as web scraping, online harvesting, or web data extraction. It is a method that is frequently employed by organizations, academics, and private individuals to collect vast volumes of data from the internet for a variety of uses, including market research, competitive analysis, and data collection.

Web scraping is the process of automatically accessing and downloading the needed data from websites using specialized software or scripts. In order to retrieve the needed data, these technologies often imitate a user visiting a website and engaging with it, such as clicking on links and submitting forms.

One of the main benefits of web scraping is that it makes it possible to quickly and effectively gather substantial amounts of data from numerous websites. Businesses that need to gather and analyze data from numerous sources in order to make wise decisions will find this to be very helpful. For those wishing to collect specific types of data from the web for personal use, such as tracking product pricing or keeping up with news and events, web scraping might be helpful.

Web scraping involves more than just taking data from websites. It also includes the broader idea of accessing and gathering data from the web utilizing technology and automation. This involves using APIs, web crawlers, and other tools and techniques to access and gather data from the web in addition to the usage of specific software and scripts for web scraping.

Additionally, there are moral and legal ramifications to using web scraping. Web scraping may be considered unlawful access to protected information or a violation of the terms of service of the websites being scraped. If it involves taking content from websites and utilizing it without permission, it might also be illegal under intellectual property laws including copyright and trademark laws. As a result, the definition of web scraping encompasses both the technological and moral issues associated with employing technology to scrape data from websites.

In conclusion, online scraping includes the technological, moral, and legal ramifications of employing automation and technology to scrape data from websites. It is a method that is frequently employed by organizations, researchers, and people to collect huge volumes of data from the internet, and it plays a significant role in how data is accessible and used in the contemporary world.