What is URI: A Detailed Comparison with URL and Their Uses
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The Internet is a huge database of many types of resources including web pages, multimedia files, documents etc and each one of them is important in our daily usage. Such resources are referred to by means of Uniform Resource Identifier (URI). Many people confuse between URI and URL (Uniform Resource Locator) although they have their own uses and definitions. This distinction is crucial whether you are a web developer creating a website or a regular internet user who will be using the site. A URI is a unique identification of a resource which can be physical or digital and a URL offers a way of accessing a resource. The basic understanding of when to employ each is useful in constructing superior web experiences and guaranteeing online resources’ availability.
This blog will teach you about URLs and URIs, their formats, and the URL and URI difference, along with how to utilize them in various contexts. Knowing this can help you operate more efficiently on both personal and business projects in the digital world. Let’s examine the fundamental ideas that constitute the Web.
What is a URI?
Built on the World Wide Web, a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) is a unique string of characters that acts as a reference to information residing on the Internet or another network. It offers a way of pointing to a resource, but it does not indicate how to get to it. A URI can lead to a specific web page or document, for example it can lead to a specific file or a specific abstract object.
Example of a URI:
foo://example.com:8042/over/there?name=ferret#nose
Breaking it down:
- Scheme: “foo” indicates the protocol or method of access.
- Authority: “example.com:8042” refers to the domain and port.
- Path: “/over/there” specifies the resource’s location.
- Query: “?name=ferret” adds parameters to the request.
- Fragment: “#nose” refers to a specific section of the resource.
This URI example contains multiple components, but it’s possible for some URIs to lack one or more, such as a URI that looks like:
telnet://192.0.2.16:80/
This URI includes only the scheme and authority, without a path or query.
While a URI identifies a resource, it doesn’t necessarily explain how to access it. This brings us to the distinction between a URI and a URL.
URI vs URL: What’s the Difference?
The short answer: All URLs are URIs while not all URIs are URLs. The key difference lies in the level of detail provided by each:
- URI: Most often states what a resource is, but does not indicate how, or by what means, the resource may be obtained. They may be applied to any abstract or persistent object that doesn’t contain any physical storage medium that is usually addressed using its URI.
- URL: Another form of URI that not only indicates the location of the resource but also shows how the resource can be accessed and where it is located, the method of access (for example HTTP), the location (for example a domain name) and the path ( for example the specific resource).
Types of URI: URNs and URLs
There are two primary types of URIs that are important to understand: URNs and URLs.
URN (Uniform Resource Name)
A URN is actually a type of URI that identifies resources by name and gives them a unique global name but without defining the location of the resource. URNs are permanent and location specific and that is why it would be more appropriate to use resources that should keep the same identity no matter where they are located.
Example of a URN:
urn:oasis:names:specification:docbook:dtd:xml:4.1.2
This URN identifies a specific version of a specification but does not indicate where it is located.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
A URL is a kind of URI that not only provides identification but also shows the location of a certain resource and how it is to be accessed. They are also known as Uniform Resource Locators, or URLs are the most popular type of URIs currently in use on the World Wide Web.
Example of a URN:
https://www.example.com/index.html
This URL not only identifies the resource (index.html) but also tells the browser to use the HTTPS protocol to access it.
Components of a URL
A typical URL includes several components:
- Protocol: Specifies how to access the resource (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS, FTP).
- Domain: The domain name or IP address of the server (e.g.,www.example.com).
- Path: The specific resource or directory on the server (e.g., /about).
- Query String: Parameters passed to the resource, often used in forms or searches (e.g., ?id=123).
- Fragment: An optional reference to a specific part of the resource (e.g., #section1).
Example:
“https://www.hostingraja.in/hosting/wordpress-hosting/?plan=basic”
Here, the URL specifies the protocol (https), domain (www.hostingraja.in), path (/hosting/wordpress-hosting/), and a query parameter (?plan=basic).
Real-World Analogy
Think of a URI as a person’s name. It identifies the person but doesn’t tell you where they live or how to contact them. A URL, on the other hand, is like a full address. It not only identifies the person but also tells you where they live and how to get in touch with them.
URI vs URL: Major Differences
Now that we’ve defined both, let’s take a closer look at the differences :
| Aspect | URI | URL |
|---|---|---|
| Identification vs. Location | Used to label a resource; might not point out where the resource can be found or how to access it. | A URI that gives the location, attributes of the resource, and the way to access it. |
| Usage Context | Used to identify any resource, including those without a physical location or access method (e.g., URNs). | Used to locate resources accessible over the web. |
| Persistence | Certain URIs (e.g., URNs) are persistent and can identify resources regardless of changes. | URLs are often location-based; if the resource’s location changes, the identifiers may fail. |
| Components | May only contain an identification name or code, not necessarily components to access a resource. | Contains all parts required to access a resource, such as protocol, domain, and path. |
| Accessing Resources | Identifies a resource by name, location, or both but doesn’t specify how to access it. | Indicates the location and the way to access a resource (e.g., HTTP, domain, path). |
| Examples | urn:example:product:12345 | https://www.example.com/products |
| Scope and Usage | Refers to any resource, including abstract or theoretical ones, even without a specific address. | Used for web navigation and is crucial for locating resources on the internet. |
When to Use URI vs URL?
- Use a URI when you need an ID for something – like a library card number, product code, or inventory tag. It’s just about giving things unique names.
- Use a URL when you need directions to find something online. It’s the full web address that shows exactly how to get there, like https://website.com/page.
Technical Use Cases for URI and URL
- Web Developers: Understanding URIs and URLs helps simplify web structures, improve routing, and manage resources effectively.
- SEO Specialists: Clear and descriptive URLs improve user experience and enhance search engine rankings.
- Network Engineers: URIs are essential for ensuring consistent access to resources across various networks and communication protocols.
Future of URI and URL Technologies
The web is shifting toward new ways of finding and sharing digital content. As more people explore decentralized networks and peer-to-peer systems, we’ll likely see fresh approaches to how we label and locate online resources.
Think of it like this: street addresses worked for mail delivery in the past, but now we have GPS coordinates and digital maps. Similarly, while URIs and URLs have served us well, upcoming tools might give us better ways to pinpoint and reach digital content.
Yet the basic need to name and find things online isn’t going away. Whether we’re using today’s web addresses or tomorrow’s digital pathways, we’ll still need reliable ways to mark and access online content. The methods might change, but the core purpose remains – helping people find what they need on the internet.
Conclusion: URL vs URI — Key Takeaways
Think of URIs and URLs like this: A URI is like giving something a name, while a URL is giving directions to find it. When you browse the web, you’re using URLs all the time – those web addresses that start with ‘https://’ and tell your browser where to go. But behind the scenes, URIs work more broadly to label digital stuff, even when you don’t need a web address.
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What to remember:
- URIs name things (like your social security number names you)
- URLs show the way (like your home address tells people where to find you)
For anyone building websites, writing content, or just surfing the web, knowing this difference helps make sense of how we find and share things online. It’s part of what makes the internet work smoothly, letting us point to exactly what we want, whether it’s a webpage, a file, or just a piece of information.
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KINGSTON AJITH
Senior Content Writer @ HostingRajaA seasoned Senior Content Writer with over 5 years of experience in the tech industry, specializing in web hosting. Passionate about creating unique, high-quality content for articles, blogs, and web pages. As a dedicated learner, continually improving writing skills and overseeing all online content and communications to ensure quality and consistency.