A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is a type of URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) that specifies the location of a resource on the internet. It provides a way to access a resource, such as a web page, image, or video, using a standard format that can be understood by web browsers and other internet applications.
A URL typically consists of several components, including the protocol, domain name, and path to the resource. The protocol indicates the method used to access the resource, such as HTTP, FTP, or mailto. The domain name specifies the server where the resource is located, such as www.example.com. The path indicates the location of the resource within the server, such as /index.html.
For example, in the URL “https://www.example.com/index.html“, “https” is the protocol, “www.example.com” is the domain name, and “/index.html” is the path to the resource. When a web browser or other application receives a URL, it uses the protocol specified in the URL to connect to the server and retrieve the resource.
URLs can also include additional components, such as query parameters and fragments, which provide additional information about the resource being requested or specify a specific location within the resource.
URLs are an essential component of the web and are used extensively in web development, including the development of web applications and APIs.