Relative URL

Definition

A relative URL is a URL-path that describes the position of a resource relative to its current location. It can be used to point to another resource on the same server or in a similar directory.

Advantages

Relative URLs are easier to understand and read. They are also shorter than absolute URLs and require less typing. In addition, they are easier to update and change because they are not tied to a specific hostname.

Disadvantages

Relative URLs can become invalid when the server is changed. If a link points to a relative URL it can be difficult to find the link if the structure of the server has changed.

Use cases

Relative URLs are commonly used in web applications where the host name changes frequently, such as web applications running on different platforms. Relative URLs are also useful when linking to a resource on the same server or in a similar directory structure.

Examples

An example of a relative URL is "/images/companylogo.jpg", which means that the image is located in the current directory in a subdirectory called "images". Another example is "../about.html". This means that the specified HTML file is located in the parent directory.

Conclusion

Relative URLs can be a useful and flexible way to create references to resources on the same server or in similar directories. They are easier to understand and read than absolute URLs, but require more care when updating and modifying them because they can become invalid if the server changes.