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URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

Table of Contents

What is a URL? #

A URL (Uniform Resource Locator), also known as an internet address or web address, is used to locate a specific resource, such as a web page, document, image or any other file, on the internet.

URLs play a crucial role in web browsing as they allow users and applications to access and share resources across the internet.

How does a URL work? #

A URL consists of several components that provide information about how to access a specific resource on the internet. The general structure of a URL is as follows:

scheme://domain:port/path/to/resource?query_string#fragment_id

Let’s break down each component:

  1. Scheme (Protocol): This is the protocol used to access the resource. Common schemes include http:// (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) for unencrypted web browsing and https:// (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) for secure web browsing. Other schemes like ftp:// (File Transfer Protocol) and mailto: (email) are also used for specific purposes.
  2. Domain: Also known as the hostname, it identifies the specific website or server where the resource is located. For example, in the URL https://www.example.com the domain is www.example.com It can also be represented by an IP address, such as https://192.168.0.1.
  3. Port: This component is not usually visible in URLs, but is essential as it specifies the network port to connect to on the server. It is often omitted when using the default port for the scheme. For example, the default port for HTTP is 80, and for HTTPS, it is 443. If a different port is used, it is specified after the domain with a colon, such as https://www.example.com:8080
  4. Path: The path (path/to/resource) represents the specific location of the resource within the server’s directory structure. It can include directories and filenames. For example, in the URL https://www.codelessplatforms.com/blog/data-integration-challenges/, the ‘blog/data-integration-challenges’ is the ‘path/to/resource’, which is used to navigate to a specific web page on a website.
  5. Query String: The query string is optional and used to pass additional parameters or data to the server. It starts with a question mark (?) and consists of key-value pairs separated by ampersands (&). For example, in the URL https://www.codelessplatforms.com/search?q=URL&lang=en, the query string is ?q=URL&lang=en It allows the server to process specific parameters, like search terms or language preferences.
  6. Fragment Identifier: The fragment identifier is also optional and specifies a specific section or element within the resource itself. It is indicated by a hash symbol (#) followed by the fragment identifier name. For example, in the URL https://www.codelessplatforms.com/page#section1 the fragment identifier is #section1 It is often used with HTML documents to link directly to a specific section on a web page.

It’s important to note that not all components are required in every URL. The scheme and domain are generally necessary, while the others may vary depending on the specific resource and how it is accessed.

HTTP vs HTTPS #

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) are both protocols used for communication between a web browser and a web server. However, there are significant differences between the two:

HTTP:

  • HTTP is an unsecured protocol, meaning the data sent between the browser and the server is not encrypted.
  • It operates over port 80.
  • URLs using HTTP start with “http://”.
  • It is commonly used for general web browsing and accessing websites that don’t involve sensitive information.
  • Because the data is transmitted in plaintext, it can potentially be intercepted and viewed by unauthorised parties, leading to privacy and security risks.

HTTPS:

  • HTTPS is a secure version of HTTP that uses encryption to protect the data transmitted between the browser and the server.
  • It operates over port 443.
  • URLs using HTTPS start with “https://”.
  • It ensures data integrity, confidentiality and authentication.
  • The encryption used in HTTPS prevents eavesdropping and tampering, making it more secure for transmitting sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card details or personal data.
  • HTTPS relies on SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) protocols to establish an encrypted connection between the browser and the server.

When you access a website using HTTPS, the browser and server perform a handshake to establish a secure connection. This process involves verifying the server’s identity, exchanging encryption keys, and encrypting the data transmitted between them. This encryption protects the confidentiality of the information while in transit, ensuring that only the intended recipient can access and decipher it.

HTTPS has been widely adopted as the standard protocol by most websites as it protects user privacy and security. Major web browsers often display a padlock symbol or indicate ‘Secure’ next to the URL when a website uses HTTPS, providing users with visual cues to trust the connection.

HTTPS is considered more secure than HTTP and is recommended for websites that handle sensitive information or require user authentication. It helps safeguard data against interception, tampering, and unauthorised access, contributing to a safer browsing experience.

What are URL shorteners? #

It is possible to create shorter, more manageable URL versions by using online services that provide a way to shorten the length of URLs, making it easier to share, remember and type.

The main purpose of URL shorteners is to condense lengthy URLs that can be cumbersome or unwieldy, especially when sharing them on platforms with character limitations like social media or messaging services. They can also be used to track clicks and gather analytics data about how often a shortened URL is accessed.

Various URL shortening services are available online, including Bitly, TinyURL, and Rebrandly, among others.

When you use a URL shortener, you provide the long URL to the service, and it generates a shorter URL that redirects to the original destination. For example, a long URL like:

https://www.codelessplatforms.com/blog/what-is-an-integration-platform

can be shortened to something like:

https://tinyurl.com/4v9vkw9m

When someone clicks on the shortened URL, they are automatically redirected to the original long URL. This redirection happens transparently and quickly.

It’s important to note that while URL shorteners provide convenience, they also introduce a level of opacity. Since the original destination is hidden behind the shortened URL, it may be difficult to determine the credibility or safety of the link without additional information or context. As a result, it’s generally recommended to exercise caution when clicking on shortened URLs, especially from unknown or suspicious sources.

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