Read the parts of a web address
Identify the protocol, domain name and page path that can appear in a URL.
Exam scope and assessment notes
This sequence follows Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0984, 2026–2028 syllabus Version 4. It covers subject content sections 5.1–5.3 only. The separately published 2029–2031 syllabus is not mapped here. Practice is original, self-checked and does not award an official Cambridge grade. Full timed papers and human subject-teacher review remain outstanding. Cambridge states that 0984 has the same 2026–2028 subject content as 0478, with 9–1 grading. In June and November, Cambridge lists 0984 in Administrative zone 3 and for centres in Oman and the UAE. Confirm availability for your centre and exam series with Cambridge International. The separately published 2029–2031 syllabus changes to Python 3 only and removes pseudocode; this 2026–2028 route does not cover those changes.
Before you begin
- No programming language is required. Be comfortable with place value and multiplication; each lesson introduces the computer-science notation it uses.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
What is a URL?
What you will learn
- Define a URL
- Identify protocol, domain and page or file name
- Explain how each part helps locate a resource
A URL is a text-based address
A uniform resource locator (URL) is the text address used to identify a resource on the Web. It can contain a protocol, a domain name and a web page or file path.
Apply and check the rule
In https://school.example/courses/math.html, https is the protocol, school.example is the domain name and /courses/math.html identifies a path or page. A URL may include other components, but these parts are enough to explain the syllabus model.
Pause and explain
In https://shop.example/cart, what is shop.example?
Worked example
In https://library.example/catalog/books, identify the protocol, domain and page path.
Show the worked solution
- Read the text before the colon as the protocol.
- Read the host between the slashes as the domain name.
- The remaining path identifies the requested page or resource.
Answer Protocol: HTTPS; domain: library.example; path: /catalog/books.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Label the protocol, domain and path in http://museum.example/exhibits/space.
Give me a hint
Split at the colon, then identify the host before the next slash.
Compare my reasoning
- The protocol text before the colon is http.
- The host is museum.example.
- The remaining path is /exhibits/space.
Protocol: HTTP; domain: museum.example; path: /exhibits/space.
Look for these in your work
- Protocol correct
- Domain correct
- Path correct
A URL has a domain name but the browser still needs a network address to contact a server. What service can look up the name?
Give me a hint
Think about the service that maps a human-readable name to an IP address.
Compare my reasoning
- The URL supplies the domain name.
- DNS looks up the corresponding IP address.
- The browser can then send a request to the named host.
The Domain Name System (DNS) resolves the domain name to an IP address.
Look for these in your work
- DNS named
- Name-to-address role
A learner says the path /courses/history is the protocol because it appears in the address. Explain the error.
Give me a hint
Use the component's position and purpose.
Compare my reasoning
- The protocol appears before the colon and describes how resources are requested.
- The domain names the host.
- The path after the host identifies the requested page or resource.
The path is not the protocol: it identifies a resource on the host. In https://school.example/courses/history, https is the protocol and school.example is the domain.
Look for these in your work
- Protocol position
- Path purpose
- Example applied
Common mistakes
- Including the slash after the domain as part of the domain
- Confusing a domain name with the IP address a server uses
What can you explain now?
What does the domain name identify in a URL?
Compare with the explanation
The named host for the requested web resource
DNS can translate that name to an IP address used for network communication.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
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Make it stick
Name three components that can appear in a URL and state what each identifies.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.