Lecture Notes: Understanding Absolute and Relative Paths

Introduction

• Topic: Differences between relative and absolute paths in web folder structures.
• Definition of a Path: Describes location of a file in a website folder structure.

Absolute Path

• Definition: Path starting from the root directory.
• Characteristics:
  • Describes full location of a file.
  • Example: https://www.w3schools.com/image.jpg.
  • Used to access files not contained within the current website directory.
  • Involves specifying the entire URL.

Relative Path

• Definition: A path relative to the current directory.
• Characteristics:
  • Contains only part of the entire path.
  • Example for a local file: image/picture.jpg.
  • Used when files reside within the same directory or a subdirectory.
  • Does not require the full URL.

Practical Usage

• Web Functionality:
  • Absolute paths are used to fetch external files/resources.
  • Relative paths are beneficial within the same website structure.

Performance Considerations

• Website Performance:
  • Using relative paths doesn't inherently improve website speed.
  • Fetching images from external sites may take additional time.
  • Both methods can be optimized for performance.

Conclusion

• Summary: Understanding when to use relative vs. absolute paths is crucial for efficient website design and functionality.
• Key Takeaway: Choose path types based on file location and website structure. Use absolute paths for external resources and relative paths for internal consistency.