Description: The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) is a string of characters that uniquely identifies a particular resource, whether on the web or in other digital contexts. A URI can be a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or a URN (Uniform Resource Name), and its primary function is to provide a means to access resources in a standardized way. URIs are fundamental in web architecture, as they allow browsers and other programs to locate and access resources such as web pages, images, videos, and documents. The structure of a URI includes several components, such as the scheme (indicating the protocol to be used), the authority (which can be a domain), the path (specifying the location of the resource), and optionally, a query string or fragment. This standardization facilitates interoperability between different systems and applications, allowing resources to be shared and utilized efficiently across the network.
History: The concept of URI was introduced in 1994 by Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the World Wide Web, as part of his work on developing standards for the web. In 1998, the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) published RFC 2396, which formally defined the URI and its components. Since then, the concept has evolved and expanded, leading to more detailed specifications and the creation of URLs and URNs as subcategories of URIs. The standardization of URIs has been crucial for the growth and interoperability of the web.
Uses: URIs are widely used on the web to uniquely identify resources. They are essential for web navigation, as each web page has a URI that allows users to access it. Additionally, URIs are used in APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to identify resources and in databases to reference objects. They are also fundamental in technologies like Linked Data, where URIs are used to connect data from different sources.
Examples: An example of a URI is ‘https://www.example.com/page’, which identifies a specific web page. Another example is ‘urn:isbn:0451450523’, which is a URN that identifies a book by its ISBN number. These examples illustrate how URIs can be used to access resources on the web and in other contexts.
