41. Domain name

Definition:

A domain name is the unique, human-readable address of a website on the internet. It is used to identify and locate computers (like web servers) on the internet without needing to remember complex IP addresses.

For example:
www.google.com is a domain name. It corresponds to an IP address like 142.250.196.100, but is easier to remember.

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Structure of a Domain Name:

A domain name typically consists of three main parts, separated by dots:

CopyEditwww.example.com

Part	Explanation
Subdomain (www)	Optional part, can be anything like blog., mail., etc.
Second-Level Domain (example)	The core name chosen by the user or organization.
Top-Level Domain (TLD) (.com)	Indicates the domain type or country.

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Types of Domain Names:

Type	Examples	Purpose
Generic TLDs (gTLD)	.com, .org, .net, .info	General use; .com is most common.
Sponsored TLDs (sTLD)	.gov, .edu, .mil	Used by specific organizations (e.g., government, education).
Country Code TLDs (ccTLD)	.in, .us, .uk, .jp	Based on countries. .in for India, .uk for the UK.
New gTLDs	.shop, .app, .tech	Custom TLDs introduced for brand or industry-specific use.

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Domain Name System (DNS):

The Domain Name System (DNS) is like the internet’s phonebook. It translates domain names into IP addresses that computers use to communicate with each other.

• When you type www.amazon.in into your browser:
  1. The DNS looks up the IP address associated with that domain.
  2. It connects your device to Amazon’s web server.

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Registering a Domain Name:

To own a domain name, you must register it through a domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains). Key steps include:

1. Choose a name (e.g., mysite123)
2. Check availability (unique names only)
3. Select a TLD (.com, .in, etc.)
4. Register and pay for a term (usually 1–10 years)

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Importance of Domain Names:

1. Online Identity
   • Helps individuals and businesses build a branded presence online.
2. Easy Access
   • Simple to remember and type compared to numeric IP addresses.
3. Trust and Credibility
   • A well-chosen domain (like .com or .org) increases user confidence.
4. SEO and Branding
   • Relevant domain names help with search engine optimization (SEO) and brand recognition.

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Legal Aspects in India:

• Domain disputes may arise over trademarks, cybersquatting, or fraudulent use.
• Governed by:
  • The Information Technology Act, 2000
  • Trademark Act, 1999
  • .IN Registry (under NIXI – National Internet Exchange of India)

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Common Domain-Related Terms:

Term	Meaning
URL	Full web address (e.g., https://www.example.com/page)
Web Hosting	The service that stores your website’s files on a server.
Subdomain	A division of your main domain (e.g., blog.example.com)
WHOIS	Public record of domain ownership and registration details.