Understanding Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs): What are they and how do they work?
Uniform Resource Identifiers, or URIs, are the backbone of the Internet. They are the foundation of how users can request, access, and interact with information online. URIs are used to create and share webpages, images, videos, and more. In this blog article we’ll explore what a URI is, how it works, and how it’s used on the Internet.
What is a URI?
A URI is an identifier for a specific resource on the Internet. It is a string of characters that clearly and unmistakably defines a location on the Internet. Each one is unique in that it functions as the sole representation of a web resource. Without URIs, searching for information on the Internet would be disastrously difficult and inefficient.
For example, if you wanted to open the Wikibooks page for Calculus, the URL is https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Calculus. This is the specific URI that uniquely defines the location of the Calculus page on the Wikibooks website.
How do URIs work?
URIs are composed of a simple structure that is divided into several different parts.
The protocol portion of a URI is the initial portion of the URL, which tells you the type of Internet protocol being used for the resource. The common protocols to find in a URI are HTTP and HTTPS.
The domain portion, then, is the hostname of the resource. In the example above, the domain of the URI is en.wikibooks.org, and indicates which website is hosting the resource.
The path consists of the directory hierarchy in which the resource is located. For example, the path /wiki/Calculus points to the resource’s location within the Wikipedia website.
Finally, the query string allows users to specify further information about the resource. This can be used to specify different versions of the same resource, and can also contain search terms to further refine the query.
How are URIs Used?
URIs play an integral role in the functioning of the Internet. They are used to uniquely and clearly define the location of a web resource. In fact, without a URI, it would be impossible to request or access any resource. Additionally, a URI provides all the information needed to access a particular resource, making it useful for both search engines and users.
Additionally, URIs can be used to help search engines more accurately and efficiently find and display webpages. By using specific keywords and parameters in the query string, search engines can more accurately differentiate between similar resources.
Conclusion
As we can see, Uniform Resource Identifiers are the fundamental building blocks of the Internet. They are used to access and share information online. Without them, it would be inefficient and difficult to find and access webpages, images, videos, and other online resources. Therefore, they are essential to the functioning of the Internet.