What is a URL?

A URL, or Uniform Resource Locator, serves as a unique identifier that specifies the location of a resource on the Internet. Essentially, it is the address you enter in a web browser to access websites or specific files on those websites. A URL contains information that helps the browser locate the resource, including the protocol (like HTTP or HTTPS), the domain name, and possibly additional path components to find specific files or directories.

Understanding this concept is crucial because it underpins how we navigate the web. Every time a user wants to visit a webpage or retrieve a file, they use a URL to indicate where that information resides. This location-based functionality distinguishes URLs from other concepts related to web technology, such as file transfer protocols, development software, or online storage solutions, which do not specifically define a web resource's location.