What is the main purpose of a URI?

The primary purpose of a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) is to identify a resource on the web. A URI serves as a way to unambiguously locate a resource, which can be anything from a webpage to a downloadable file or an image. By using a URI, users and applications can access and interact with these resources over the internet.

For example, when a user enters a URL into their browser, that URL is a specific type of URI that points to a specific webpage. This allows the browser to retrieve the exact content requested by the user. There are other related concepts such as URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) that are often used interchangeably with URIs, but they specifically refer to the address aspect of the URI that indicates where the resource can be found and how to access it.

Integrating this into web development and digital design, recognizing the importance of URIs is crucial for creating effective navigation, linking, and resource management strategies.