When we type google.com or dev.to into our browser, we are using something called a domain name. Without domain names, we would have to remember complex strings of numbers (IP addresses) to access websites.
In this blog I will break down:
- What a domain name is?
- Why we use it?
- How it works?
- What DNS is and why it is important?
- Real world examples
- Fun facts about DNS
- Related concepts you should know
What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is the human readable address of a website. Instead of typing 142.250.182.14 (Google’s IP address) you just type google.com.
Think of it as your home address instead of giving someone your GPS coordinates, you give them a street address that is easier to remember.
Examples of domain names:
- google.com
- github.com
- kmsaifullah.dev (a personal domain could look like this)
Why Do We Use Domain Names?
- Simplicity: Easier to remember than IP addresses
- Branding: A good domain builds trust and identity (e.g. amazon.com)
- Flexibility: You can change the server’s IP without affecting users
- Accessibility: Makes the internet usable for everyone, not just IT experts
How Does a Domain Name Work?
The process of visiting a website goes like this:
- You type a domain (like example.com) in your browser
- The request goes to a DNS (Domain Name System) server
- The DNS finds the IP address linked to that domain
- Your browser connects to that IP and loads the website
Summary: Domain Name → DNS → IP Address → Website
What is DNS?
DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is often called the phonebook of the internet because it matches domain names with IP addresses.
Without DNS, you would have to type something like:
216.58.217.14 instead of google.com
140.82.113.3 instead of github.com
That would not be fun, right? 😅
Examples of DNS in Action
- facebook.com == 157.240.229.35
- twitter.com == 104.244.42.1
- wikipedia.org == 208.80.154.224
You can test this yourself by using the ping command in your terminal: ping google.com
Fun Facts About DNS
- The first domain name ever registered was symbolics.com in 1985
- DNS is so crucial that if it fails, large portions of the internet can go down. It actually happened in 2016 when Dyn DNS was attacked
- DNS works in a hierarchical structure: Root → TLD (.com, .org, .net) → Domain → Subdomain.
- DNS queries usually take just milliseconds, but billions of them happen every day
Related Topics to Explore
If you are curious about DNS, you might also want to learn:
- Types of DNS Records (A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT etc.)
- How subdomains work (blog.example.com)
- DNS propagation (why changes take time to update worldwide)
- DNS security (DNSSEC) to protect against spoofing attacks
- Custom domains with hosting providers
Conclusion
A domain name is more than just a website address. It is the gateway to the internet for billions of people. By understanding how domains and DNS work, you will have a much clearer picture of how the web functions behind the scenes.
Whether you are setting up your first website or diving deeper into networking concepts, DNS is a fundamental piece of knowledge every developer should master.
✅ Your Turn
- Try running
ping dev.toornslookup google.comin your terminal to see DNS in action - If you have ever had a fun experience with DNS or setting up a domain, share it in the comments
If you enjoyed this article, do not forget to leave a ❤️ or share it with someone new to web development.
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