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17. Domain Names

Introduction

Section titled “Introduction”

Domain names are human-readable addresses that identify websites on the internet. Instead of remembering numeric IP addresses like 192.0.2.1, users can type memorable names like example.com. Domain names are essential for web development, as they provide the identity and address for websites. Understanding domain names helps you configure websites and understand how the web addressing system works.

What are Domain Names?

Section titled “What are Domain Names?”

A domain name is a string that identifies a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, or control on the internet. It’s part of the URL that users type to access websites.

Domain Name Structure

Section titled “Domain Name Structure”
www.example.com
│   │       │
│   │       └─ Top-Level Domain (TLD)
│   └─ Second-Level Domain
└─ Subdomain

Components

Section titled “Components”
  • Subdomain: Optional prefix (www, mail, blog)
  • Domain name: Main identifier (example)
  • TLD: Top-level domain (.com, .org, .net)

Top-Level Domains (TLDs)

Section titled “Top-Level Domains (TLDs)”

Generic TLDs (gTLD)

Section titled “Generic TLDs (gTLD)”

Common TLDs:

  • .com: Commercial (most popular)
  • .org: Organizations
  • .net: Network
  • .edu: Educational
  • .gov: Government

Country Code TLDs (ccTLD)

Section titled “Country Code TLDs (ccTLD)”

Country-specific:

  • .us: United States
  • .uk: United Kingdom
  • .ca: Canada
  • .au: Australia

New gTLDs

Section titled “New gTLDs”

Modern TLDs:

  • .app: Applications
  • .dev: Development
  • .io: Tech companies
  • .xyz: Generic

Domain Registration

Section titled “Domain Registration”

Registrars

Section titled “Registrars”

Companies that sell domains:

  • GoDaddy: Popular registrar
  • Namecheap: Affordable option
  • Google Domains: Google service
  • Cloudflare: Registrar and DNS

Registration Process

Section titled “Registration Process”
  1. Choose domain: Select available name
  2. Check availability: Verify it’s available
  3. Register: Purchase domain
  4. Configure DNS: Set up DNS records
  5. Renew: Maintain registration

DNS Configuration

Section titled “DNS Configuration”

A Records

Section titled “A Records”

Point domain to IP address:

example.com → 192.0.2.1

CNAME Records

Section titled “CNAME Records”

Create aliases:

www.example.com → example.com

Subdomains

Section titled “Subdomains”

Create subdomains:

blog.example.com
mail.example.com
api.example.com

Domain Best Practices

Section titled “Domain Best Practices”

Choosing a Domain

Section titled “Choosing a Domain”
  • Memorable: Easy to remember
  • Short: Keep it concise
  • Relevant: Reflects brand/content
  • Available: Check availability
  • SEO-friendly: Consider keywords

Security

Section titled “Security”
  • WHOIS privacy: Protect personal information
  • Domain locking: Prevent unauthorized transfers
  • Two-factor authentication: Secure account access
  • Renewal reminders: Avoid expiration

Domain in Web Development

Section titled “Domain in Web Development”

Local Development

Section titled “Local Development”

Local domains for testing:

localhost
127.0.0.1
local.example.com (via hosts file)

Hosts File

Section titled “Hosts File”

Map domains locally:

127.0.0.1 local.example.com

Production Setup

Section titled “Production Setup”

Configure for production:

  • DNS records: Point to server
  • SSL certificates: HTTPS setup
  • Subdomains: Configure as needed

References

Section titled “References”