HTML Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)

A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is a reference or address used to access resources on the internet, such as web pages, images, videos, and files. URLs are integral to HTML, enabling seamless navigation between resources.

At The Coding College, we aim to simplify HTML concepts, and in this guide, you’ll learn everything about URLs, their structure, and how to use them in HTML effectively.

What is a URL?

A URL is the full address of a resource on the web. It provides the path for browsers to locate and retrieve files or web pages from servers.

Example of a URL:

http://thecodingcollege.com/html-introduction

Structure of a URL

A URL consists of several components, each serving a specific purpose:

  1. Scheme (Protocol)
    Indicates the protocol to be used, such as http or https.
    • Example: https://
  2. Host (Domain)
    Identifies the server hosting the resource.
    • Example: www.thecodingcollege.com
  3. Path
    Specifies the location of the resource on the server.
    • Example: /html-introduction
  4. Query Parameters (Optional)
    Provide additional information to the server.
    • Example: ?id=123&category=html
  5. Fragment Identifier (Optional)
    Points to a specific section within a resource.
    • Example: #overview

Example of a Complete URL

http://thecodingcollege.com/tutorials?topic=html#examples

Breakdown:

  • https: Protocol
  • www.thecodingcollege.com: Host
  • /tutorials: Path
  • ?topic=html: Query Parameters
  • #examples: Fragment Identifier

Types of URLs in HTML

1. Absolute URLs

  • Contain the full address to the resource.
  • Start with the protocol (http:// or https://).
  • Example: 
<a href="http://thecodingcollege.com">Visit The Coding College</a>

2. Relative URLs

  • Point to a resource relative to the current location.
  • Do not include the protocol or domain.
  • Example: 
<a href="/about">About Us</a>

Using URLs in HTML

Linking to a Web Page

<a href="http://thecodingcollege.com">Learn HTML at The Coding College</a>

Linking to a Section with Fragments

<a href="#contact">Go to Contact Section</a>

Linking to an External Resource

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/styles.css">

Linking to an Image

<img src="http://thecodingcollege.com/images/logo.png" alt="The Coding College Logo">

Best Practices for Using URLs in HTML

  1. Use HTTPS: Always use https:// for secure communication.
  2. Keep URLs Descriptive: URLs should clearly indicate the content.
    • Example: /html-tutorials is better than /page1.
  3. Avoid Spaces: Replace spaces with hyphens (-).
  4. Relative vs Absolute URLs: Use relative URLs for internal resources and absolute URLs for external resources.
  5. Canonical Links: Avoid duplicate content issues by using canonical URLs.

Example: HTML Document with Various URLs

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <title>HTML URLs</title>
</head>
<body>
  <h1>HTML Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)</h1>

  <!-- Absolute URL -->
  <p><a href="http://thecodingcollege.com">Visit The Coding College</a></p>

  <!-- Relative URL -->
  <p><a href="/html-basics">HTML Basics</a></p>

  <!-- Fragment Identifier -->
  <p><a href="#example-section">Go to Example Section</a></p>

  <!-- Image URL -->
  <img src="/images/example.jpg" alt="Example Image">

  <h2 id="example-section">Example Section</h2>
  <p>This is an example section referenced by a fragment.</p>
</body>
</html>

Conclusion

URLs are the backbone of web navigation, enabling users to access resources effortlessly. By understanding and using URLs effectively in HTML, you ensure a seamless user experience.

For more detailed tutorials on HTML and web development, visit The Coding College. Let’s build the web together!

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