URL | Computer for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

What is a URL?

• The concept of a URL revolves around a text-based address serving to pinpoint the location of a resource online.
• Essentially, a URL acts as the unique identifier for a webpage, image, video, or any other content accessible on the internet.
• In simpler terms, a URL, short for Uniform Resource Locator, functions as a virtual address directing you to specific online content.
• It's akin to a virtual signpost guiding users to the exact location of the desired resource within the vast realm of the internet.

Components of a URL

A URL consists of three key components:

• Protocol
• Domain name
• Web page/file name

Protocol

• The protocol serves as the communication method between the client and the server.
• Examples of protocols include HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP.

Domain name

• The domain name signifies the server's identity where the resource is hosted.
• It can be either a name (like "www.example.com") or an IP address.

Web page/file name

• This component specifies the location of the file or resource on the server.
• It may include the name of the file or directory where the resource is stored.

Additional Information on URLs

• Protocol://domain/path
• For instance, https://www.example.com/index.html is a URL that consists of the HTTPS protocol, the domain name "www.example.com", and the file name "/index.html".