📖 Understanding URLs

What is a URL?

Every time you visit a website, you're using a URL — the web’s version of a street address. URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) tell your browser where to find files on the Internet. Whether you're linking a stylesheet, embedding a photo, or opening a page in your browser, you're working with URLs.

Components of a URL

URLs are made up of several parts that tell the browser exactly where to go and how to get there. Here's a breakdown using a sample web address:

https://www.dallascollege.edu:443/programs/index.html
https
The protocol used to access the resource. HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol; HTTPS adds secure encryption.
www.dallascollege.edu
The hostname or domain name of the server hosting the resource.
443
An optional port number used for communication. Defaults include 80 for HTTP and 443 for HTTPS.
/programs
The directory path where the resource is located on the server.
index.html
The specific file being requested. If omitted, the server typically looks for a default file like index.html.

FTP URLs and File Transfers

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is used to move files between your computer and a web server. While browsers may offer basic access to FTP links, developers often need specialized tools for managing files more efficiently and securely.

ftp://ftp.cts.com/pub/wallst
ftp
The protocol used for transferring files over the Internet.
ftp.cts.com
The FTP server hosting the files.
/pub/wallst
The directory path to the folder or file on the server.

For development work, it's best to use a dedicated FTP client such as FileZilla or WinSCP. These tools offer features like drag-and-drop uploads, secure login credentials, and permission controls — all of which streamline file management on a remote server.

Best Practices for Naming Files

Clean, consistent file names help ensure that URLs work across all browsers and operating systems. Follow these tips:

No spaces
Spaces in file names get encoded as %20, which makes URLs harder to read. Use hyphens (-) or underscores (_) instead.
Use lowercase letters
Some servers are case-sensitive. Stick to lowercase to avoid broken links.
Choose standard file extensions
Use familiar extensions like .html, .jpg, .png, or .css.
Stick to safe characters
Use only letters, numbers, hyphens, underscores, and periods. Avoid symbols and spaces.
Keep names short and clear
Avoid overly long or vague names. Use short, descriptive terms that reflect the file’s purpose.
Name your homepage index.html
Most servers look for this default file when a directory is requested without a specific filename.

Additional Resources

Last updated: June 17, 2025 at 11:56 PM