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The difference between a domain and a URL lies in their function and structure within the web addressing system. In detail:

Domain

A domain is the unique name that identifies a website on the Internet. It consists of two main parts: the domain name and the top-level domain (TLD). For example:

  • example domain: example.com
    • domain name: example
    • Top-level domain (TLD)**: .com.

Domains are easier to remember than numerical IP addresses and are used to identify websites and e-mail addresses.

URL

A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the complete web address that points to a specific resource on the Internet. A URL includes several components, including the protocol, domain, path and optional parameters. For example:

  • Example-URL: https://www.example.com/path/to/resource?query=param
    • Protocol: https
    • Subdomain: www
    • Domain: example.com
    • Path: /path/to/resource
    • Query-Parameter: ?query=param

Difference between domain and URL

The difference between a domain and a URL is that a domain represents the core address of a website (e.g., “example.com”), while a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the full address that includes additional details like the protocol (e.g., HTTP/HTTPS), specific paths to resources, and optional parameters (e.g., “https://www.example.com/page?id=123”). Essentially, the domain is part of the URL, but the URL gives a complete address to access a specific resource on the web.

Here’s a table showing the differences:

Aspect Domain URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
Definition The main address or name of a website. The complete web address that leads to a specific resource.
Components Domain name and top-level domain (TLD). Protocol, domain name, path, port, query parameters, fragment.
Example example.com https://www.example.com/page?id=123
Scope Represents the core address of the website. Provides the full address, including the domain and more.
Usage Used to identify or access a website. Used to navigate to a specific page or resource on a website.
Hierarchy Part of the URL. Contains the domain as one component.

Summary: A domain is part of the URL and describes the name of a website, while a URL specifies the full address of a resource on a website.

Example to illustrate

  • Domain: example.com
    • This is the main name of the website.
  • URL**: https://www.example.com/products/item1?ref=12345
    • This is the full web address containing the protocol (https), a subdomain (www), the domain (example.com), a path (/products/item1) and a query parameter (?ref=12345).

To summarize: A domain is the name of a website, while a URL is the complete address that locates a specific resource on that website.

URI

There is also the URI (Uniform Resource Identifier). The URI is a character string that allows a resource on the Internet to be uniquely identified. It can be used to address a website, a document, an image or any other resource that is accessible via the web. A URI typically consists of a pattern (e.g. http, https, ftp), followed by an address or path to the resource.

Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einem URL und einem URI?

Hier ist eine Gegenüberstellung der Unterschiede zwischen einer URL (Uniform Resource Locator) und einer URI (Uniform Resource Identifier):

Aspect URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) ​​ URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
Definition A general term that means anything that uniquely identifies a resource. A specific type of URI that specifies the location (address) of a resource.
Function Uniquely identifies a resource (location or name, or both). Indicates the location of a resource and describes how to access it (usually over a network).
Example example@example.com (indicates only an identity) https://www.example.com/index.html (indicates an address)
Use of protocol May or may not include a protocol. Must always contain a protocol such as http, https, ftp.
Components Can only contain one identification component. Contains specific information such as scheme (protocol), hostname, port, path, etc.
Subcategory URI is the generic term. URL is a specific type of URI. URL is a special kind of URI. All URLs are URIs, but not all URIs are URLs.
Examples urn:isbn:0451450523 (a URN that identifies a book) ftp://ftp.example.com/file.txt (an address for accessing a file)

In summary: All of these parts together make up a URI that uniquely identifies a resource on the Internet and describes how to access it.

Updated:

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