A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is a unique address used to locate and access a specific resource on the internet. It tells a web browser where to find a particular web page, document, image, or other resource.
A URL typically consists of several components:
- Protocol: The protocol used to access the resource, such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) or HTTPS (HTTP Secure).
- Domain name: The human-readable address of the website, such as “www.example.com”.
- Path: The specific location of the resource within the website, such as “/page.html” or “/images/picture.jpg”.
- Query parameters (optional): Additional information passed to the server, typically used for dynamic pages or to specify search terms, such as “?q=search+term”.
- Fragment identifier (optional): A reference to a specific part of the resource, such as “#section2”.
URLs are essential for web navigation and are used by web browsers, search engines, and users to locate and share specific resources on the internet. They form the backbone of the internet’s hypertext system, allowing users to move between web pages and access various types of content.