Online Orientation - What are URLs?

What Are URLs?

The acronym URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. A URL is an address on the Web. Each individual Web page you visit has its own URL. The URL is located in the address bar of your browser. By changing the text in the address bar, you can move to different pages on the Web:

Screenshot of the top of a browser window, showing the address bar where you can type in URL's

Parts Of A URL

A URL generally begins with the text http:// and is usually followed by a three-part descriptive address, such as www.uhcl.edu. The www stands for World Wide Web; uhcl is the name of the place you want to go; and edu is the type of web site you are going to visit, in this case an EDUcation site. Each section is separated by a period, also known as a dot. Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule, but this can help you decipher most addresses.

Types Of URLs

Since not all Web sites are educational in nature, here is a quick chart to help you figure out some of the more common categories of sites in the United States:

com = COMmercial
edu = EDUcation
gov = GOVernment
org = non-profit ORGanization
mil = MILitary
net = other interNET sites

FUN FACT:

"In 1995, Dr. Joe McCord, then the director of the UH-Clear Lake library, in collaboration with the Texas Council of State University Libraries pioneered TexShare, a statewide network linking resources of academic libraries."

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