Each time we access the internet, we see them. Anytime we want to be directed to a specific website, we use them. We never stop to reckon what exactly a URL is and consists of or why we use this naming convention to access different points on the internet.
This article is going to define a URL, breakdown an example into simple to know parts and clarify the naming convention for each segment of a URL. Those looking to become involved in some type of internet business, web design, or programming should be familiar with this in rank. For those that are not familiar; here’s a crash course.
A uniform resource locator or URL specifies where a resource is available on the web and how to retrieve it. By typing in a specific run of letters and numbers in the address bar of a browser, you immediately go to a website (address in a virtual world) to obtain in rank.
Every URL has the same naming convention:
- The protocol
- A colon
- A hostname or IP address
- A port number
- The path to be accessed
- An optional glue (for HTML) or query string (for CGI)
The protocol indicates the namespace or purpose in addition to the syntax of the remaining part of the URL. For instance, http://example.com. The hostname or IP address specifies the destination location for the URL. For example, google.com is the field name and 72.14.207.99 is the IP address. It’s simpler to remember the field name as opposed to the IP address.
The port number is optional and if omitted, defaulting port of 80 is used. By stating a specific port, it tells the browser to connect to a certain port on that server. The path to be accessed is used to find the specific resource requested. Since this aspect is case sensitive, if entered in uppercase letters, an HTTP 404 error will occur.
Finally, the glue for an HTML website refers to a location on the actual web page. On the additional hand, the query string used to for CGI websites holds data that is to be passed along to specific web applications like CGI programs. Query strings are generally separated by ampersands while names and values are separated by an equal sign.
Knowing the syntax of a URL is beneficial when effective in the internet world. Each segment of a URL has a specific purpose that points to a location where in rank can be retrieved or specific applications can be accessed.
