Programing

[Dimension]

right...how it got there...this might get a bit detailed...but here goes..

the www.investorshum.com part of the URL refers to a domain. When that domain name is registered (via NSOL or some other company), all requests to it are forwarded to the underlying IP, which is simply a server somewhere. Now if at that server there is a Web Server running, it can accept what are called HTTP requests. A webserver simply is a process that sits and waits for information to come it's way via a hole poked in the server (techy term: a port is opened to let info thru to the server) and it basically forwards it on to something that may or may not use that information. Typically, these request are sent from Web Browser clients as URLS. these Clients (Web Browsers) can send additional information if they choose to the server by attaching the additional inforamtion to the URL. These additional information can be used by APPLICATIONS, SCRIPTS, or PROCESSES running on the server machine to do something.

for example: the URL as i type right now is http://www.investorshub.com/boards/post_reply.asp?message_id=6476095
how did that get there?

basically, if you move your mouse over the message you just posted to me, you will that URL shown at the status bar at the lower part of your browser. So when you click on that link, that URL is sent to the browser. In that URL is all the information needed for the WebServer at Investorshub.com to be able to send me the details of your message. The URL says to go to Address www.InvestorsHub.com, and when you get there, seek out "boards/post_reply" page, and give post_reply page the following information "message_id = 6476095", it will know what to do with that info.
How will it know? because THAT'S WHERE THE CODE is. in post_reply page, is some code that runs on the server that takes the information in the URL, does something with it, when it's done, sends back data to the browser you are viewing...in this case, it sends back a new page with the details of your message.

phew! in short, URL is not code, instead, it's something that CODE CAN USE. that code resides on the webserver specified in the URL or that webserver will know where to find that code that can do something with that URL.