URLis usually pronounced with each letter spoken individually (i.e.,u - r - l, notearl).
It used to be an abbreviation forUniversal Resource Locatorbefore being changed to Uniform Resource Locator in 1994.
A URL can even point to local files you have on ahard drive.

Henrik5000 / Getty Images
Each protocol may have a unique set ofsyntaxrules to reach the destination.
HTTP and FTP URLs are structured the same, asprotocol://hostname/fileinfo.
Other characters must be encoded (translated to programming code) to be accepted.
Some URLs have parameters that split it away from additional variables.
Others use the encoded equivalent of a space, which is%20.
Some URLs can swap between parameters depending on the context.
A good example can be seen whenadding a timestamp to a YouTube video.
Some links require an ampersand and others use a question mark.
URLs can also use anchors.
Additional variables would also be preceded by an ampersand.
Parts of a URL arecase-sensitivespecifically, everythingafterthe domain name (the directories and file name).
They’re like easy-to-remember names for our favorite websites.
This translation from a URL to an IP address is whatDNS serversare used for.
Clicking through to URLs you’re unfamiliar with, or that look strange, can actually be dangerous.
Learnhow to test a suspicious link without clicking itto help avoid issues surrounding this.
Most URLs don’t require the port name to be given.
FAQ
Yes.How you block a websitedepends on your machine and operating system.
A vanity URL is a short, memorable URL that redirects from a longer, more complex URL.
To set up a vanity URL, use aURL shortenerthat offers custom domains.
A callback URL is a page where users are redirected after completing an action in another website or program.
The majordifference between HTTP and HTTPSis that HTTPS is more secure.
Therefore, it should always be used on websites where secure data needs to be transferred.