Don't think you know what a domain name is? You might be surprised how often you have seen or used one. Read on for an explanation on what a domain name is and how you may be using one already.
IP's in Disguise
Technically speaking a domain name is an alias for a numeric code. The numeric code is called an IP address. The format of an IP address is written as four numbers separated by periods, where each number can be from zero to 255. For example, 22.170.12.250 could be an IP address. The IP address is how a domain name is recognized by the domain name server. However, a long number like that is difficult for people to remember, so domain names were created to give an alias to IP addresses that would be easier for people to communicate and remember.
Domains Are Everywhere
Today domain names are all around. Almost everywhere you look these days, on billboards, television, ads, you see a domain name. If you have used the internet or sent an email you have used a domain name. When using the internet, you use a domain name when you type a web address, or URL. A web address would look something like this: http://www.example.com. The domain name in that URL is "example.com." To send an email you must also use a domain name. For example you send an email to me@example.com. In this email address "example.com" is the domain name.
