Chapter 3: Introduction to Technological Aspects of Privacy
URLs, URIs, URNs and Hyperlinks
A Uniform resource locator (URL) is a web address with a protocol prefix, optional www, a domain name and a top-level domain. URLs are a subset of Uniform resource identifier (URI); a embeds a URL to transport users elsewhere.
A Uniform resource locator (URL) such as https://www.iapp.org contains a protocol prefix (HTTPS), often 'www', a domain name ('iapp') and a top-level domain ('.org'). URLs are a subset of Uniform resource identifier (URI); the related Uniform resource name (URN) term may appear interchangeably. A embeds a URL in HTML so clicking transports the user to the destination page, including a 'deep link' to a specific page or paragraph.
Key terms - quick answers
What is “Uniform resource locator (URL)”?
The address of content on a web server, containing a protocol prefix, often 'www', a domain name, and a top-level domain such as .com, .org, .gov, .edu, or a country code.
What is “Uniform resource identifier (URI)”?
A larger class of identifiers formatted like URLs but which may not include information to locate the resource on a network.
What is “Uniform resource name (URN)”?
A related identifier term that may appear interchangeably with URL/URI in some documents.
What is “Top-level domain”?
The final segment of a domain such as .com (commercial), .org (organization), .gov (government), .edu (educational), or a two-letter country code; there are over 1,500.