What is the difference between relative URL and absolute URL?

Answer 1

An absolute path refers to the path to a file on a computer. For example, on a Unix system, an absolute path begins with a '/' and on a Microsoft Windows machine, it will begin with a drive letter, a ':' and a backslash (eg 'C:\') or a '\\' indicating a path to another computer.

A relative path is the path to a file from the current directory. On a unix system this path will begin with a character other than a '/' (any other character could begin a relative path). For example, if one is currently in the directory /home/user42/ and there is a directory named /home/user42/mail/ then the relative path to mail is simply 'mail/'. If there is a directory /home/user41/songs/ then the relative path is '../user41/songs/'. If one is in the directory /home/ then the relative paths are user42/mail/ and user41/songs/, respectively.

Answer 2

With an absolute path name you can reference any file or directory on the system from anywhere.

A relative pathname references a file or directory that is relative to the directory you are now in. It is restricted to the directory tree that you are currently using.

Answer 3

First AnswerThe relative URL is a component of two part the CPU and the monitor. The absolute URL is between the two part of the relative URL. Second AnswerA relative URL relates to the current folder whereas an absolute URL is complete with domain and doesn't depend on the current folder.

Examples:

Let's say your page is located at:

www.mydomain.com/public/hobbies

and in this "hobbies" folder, you have a file called "webdesign.html"

The relative URL for the file is simply "webdesign.html" since the file resides in the same folder.

The absolute URL for the file is "www.mydomain.com/public/hobbies/webdesign.html"

If you had a file in the "public" folder called "history.html" a relative URL would be written as "../history.html" since you would first need to back up one level to the public folder.