Understanding Name Spaces: From Programming to Domain Names


In programming, a name space is a container for a set of identifiers (such as variables, functions, classes, etc.) that are used to group related code and prevent naming conflicts. The purpose of name spaces is to provide a way to organise code and avoid naming collisions when working on large-scale projects.

In simple terms, a name space is a mechanism that allows programmers to use the same name for different things in different parts of their code without creating conflicts.

In addition to their use in programming, name spaces can also refer to the system used to organise domain names on the internet.

Every website on the internet has a unique domain name that identifies it. For example, "google.com" is the domain name for the Google website. When a user types in a domain name in their web browser, the domain name is translated into an IP address using the domain name system (DNS).

The DNS is a hierarchical system of name spaces that organises domain names into a tree-like structure. At the top of the hierarchy are the root domain name servers, which are responsible for managing the top-level domains (TLDs) such as .com, .org, .net, and so on.

Each TLD is further divided into subdomains, which can be further divided into subdomains of their own. For example, the domain name "maps.google.com" is a subdomain of "google.com", which is a subdomain of the TLD ".com".

In this way, name spaces for domains provide a way to organise and differentiate between different websites on the internet. They also allow domain owners to choose a unique and memorable domain name that reflects their brand or content.

Furthermore, name spaces can also be used to restrict access to certain parts of a website or to create subdomains for specific purposes. For example, a company may use a subdomain such as "login.company.com" to restrict access to its login portal.

In summary, name spaces are an essential component of the internet and play a vital role in organising domain names and differentiating between different websites and subdomains. They provide a simple and effective way to manage the complex hierarchy of domain names and ensure that each website has a unique and recognisable domain name.



Posted by Kilana Chohan
Kilana is our Marketing and Communications Coordinator, having graduated from UCT with an Environmental Science and Media Studies degree, her wide range of interests and expertise have brought a fresh and interesting lens to the display and distribution of our products and services.