The web is known to be the home of so much information and resources. It is so wide that not all the books in the world put together can provide so much data. All you need to do is use a research engine, search for whatever information you need and it gets displayed right in front of you.
This is however what the user gets to see, not knowing that there is so much more that happens behind the scenes. It is important to understand how all this works and what processes are involved in ensuring all this important information is provided.
The reason why it is important is that the web is the future of technology if it is not already.
Link and URL are two terms heard so often and usually confused to be the same. We use these same terms throughout the day to find useful information that we need. A link is what we share with someone when we want to share some content over the net. A URL on the other hand is what we insert in a browser when we want to get to a particular page.
Link Vs. URL
While a link takes the user from one web address to another, a URL does not. A URL is a page that the link takes you to.
Comparison between Link and URL
- A link is what connects the user to the web address while a URL is the unique address of a particular web page.
- Links do not follow protocol but URLs do. Protocols in URL include; HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP.
- Unlike URLs, links do not have a specific syntax. The syntax of URLs contains protocols, a domain, colon, resource path, and a port number. There are URLs that have fragment identifiers.
- You will not always get the desired result after typing in a link but you will automatically get what you are looking for with a URL.
- Links can be used using any characters but the same does not apply to URLs. This is because some characters have some special uses in URLs.
What is Link?
A link is an HTML object that allows the web user from one web location to another. The link helps to create a path between pages, and the link directs the browser to display the page displayed in the address.
HTML makes it possible for web pages to be conveniently designed and connected internally. Links make it possible for options like go back, go to the next page, go to the first page, and so on.
Links are better known as hyperlinks. They are very common and occur so many times on the web. They are denoted by a blue color with an underline beneath them. On web pages such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera, the ink will often turn purple from blue.
Links are not just used on web pages and web addresses. They can also be used to link to images and videos. They have a default underlined blue text that is possible to customize into what you prefer. Customization can be done using HTML or CSS styles.
There are two types of links which include the relative and the absolute. Absolute links have domain names while relative links do not.
What is the URL?
The full name is Uniform Resource Locator. It incorporates a protocol, colon, domain, resource path, and port number. There are URLs that incorporate fragment identifiers.
URLs are often confused with domain names and this is a huge mistake that people often make. A domain name is representative of an IP address. It is used to navigate and inter-device communication. Domain names make understanding and memorizing an easy process.
When a person enters a wrong URL, the feedback you get is an error 404 page not found. The error code often appears when there is a broken code, the URL is incorrect or the page you are looking for has been deleted already.
Web developers do not create URLs. It is the job of the webserver to come up with the needed URLs. A web developer’s job is to maintain the resource of the address so the error 404 does not pop up on the screen.
Difference between Link and URL
- While a link helps to take the user from one address to another, a URL will take you to the specific page that you are looking for.
- URLs follow protocols that include HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP as examples. This helps to retain order and allows you to get to the specific page that you are looking for. Links on the other hand do not follow any protocol. As such, an available link can take you to many different pages helping you get the information you are looking for.
- There is no availability of syntax on links. URLs on the other hand have them. This is why URLs have sentences that are more arranged and definite, making it easier for you to quickly get the information you are looking for.
- When you type the link on a browser, you are bound to get results that are inaccurate. This is why the link takes you from one page or address to another till you have found the specific information. Typing a URL on the other hand is so accurate that you will get the exact information you are looking for.
- You can use any character to create a link. URLs on the other hand limit the use of special characters.
Conclusion
In conclusion, links and URLs are often used by people in their day-to-day activities. What is important is to understand the difference so that you can make your web search activities easier and more accurate.
If you are a person dealing with computer science-related subjects, you would really need to understand these two terms as well as their differences. This helps you know what specific terms to use and where. Knowing these terms is an important task for everyone.