Explain the meaning of different components of URLs.

Understanding Components of URLs

1. Protocol:

• Definition: The protocol is the set of rules that defines how data is transmitted over the internet. Common protocols include HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) for web pages and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) for secure web pages.
• Example: In the URL "https://www.example.com," the protocol is HTTPS.

2. Domain Name:

• Definition: The domain name is the human-readable address of a website that corresponds to an IP address. It typically consists of a name (such as "example") and a top-level domain (such as ".com").
• Example: In the URL "https://www.example.com," the domain name is "example.com."

3. Subdomain:

• Definition: A subdomain is a prefix added to a domain name that indicates a specific section or service of a website. Subdomains are separated from the domain name by a dot.
• Example: In the URL "https://blog.example.com," "blog" is the subdomain.

4. Path:

• Definition: The path specifies the specific page or resource on a website that the URL points to. It follows the domain name and is separated from it by a slash (/).
• Example: In the URL "https://www.example.com/blog," "/blog" is the path.

5. Query String:

• Definition: The query string is used to pass information to the web server as part of the URL. It starts with a question mark (?) and consists of key-value pairs separated by ampersands (&).
• Example: In the URL "https://www.example.com/search?q=example," "?q=example" is the query string, where "q" is the key and "example" is the value.

6. Fragment Identifier:

• Definition: The fragment identifier specifies a specific section or anchor within a webpage that the URL should navigate to. It is preceded by a hash (#) symbol.
• Example: In the URL "https://www.example.com#section2," "#section2" is the fragment identifier.

Conclusion:
Understanding the components of URLs helps users navigate the internet more effectively and provides insights into how websites are structured and accessed. Each component plays a unique role in specifying the location and content of web resources.