What is a standard format that combines a fully qualified domain name with a protocol at the beginning?

A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is a standard format that specifies the location of a resource on the Internet. It combines a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) with a protocol at the beginning, which typically indicates how the resource can be accessed. For example, in the URL "https://www.example.com/index.html," "https" is the protocol used to access the resource, and "www.example.com" is the fully qualified domain name.

Understanding URLs is crucial for navigating the web and identifying how resources are retrieved. A URL provides not just the address, but also the necessary information on how to communicate with the server hosting the resource, encompassing various protocols beyond just HTTP, such as HTTPS, FTP, and others. This makes it the universally recognized standard for locating resources on the Internet.