Understanding URI
A URI, or **Uniform Resource Identifier**, is a string of characters used to identify a resource on the internet. It serves as a standard method for naming and locating resources, like web pages or files, across different networks.
There are two main types of URIs:
1. *URL (Uniform Resource Locator)**: It specifies the **location* of a resource. For example, `https://www.example.com` tells the browser where to find a webpage.
2. *URN (Uniform Resource Name)**: It identifies a resource by **name* rather than location. For example, `urn:isbn:0451450523` represents a specific book by its ISBN number.
A URI is structured with several components:
*Scheme* (e.g., `http`, `ftp`), which indicates the protocol or method used to access the resource.
**Authority**, which typically contains the domain name (e.g., `www.example.com`).
**Path**, specifying the exact resource (e.g., `/about`).
Optional components like *query* parameters (e.g., `?id=123`) or a *fragment* (e.g., `#section2`).
Overall, URIs help uniquely identify and access resources in a consistent manner across the web.