What is the role of a file path in a URL?

A file path in a URL plays a critical role by specifying the exact location of a resource on the server. When a URL is constructed, it typically consists of several components, including the protocol, domain name, and the file path. The file path indicates the specific directory structure and filename of the resource being requested, allowing the web server to locate and serve that resource correctly.

For example, in the URL "https://www.example.com/images/photo.jpg," the file path is "/images/photo.jpg," which tells the server to look in the "images" directory for the file "photo.jpg." This specificity is essential for retrieving the right content from the server. Without the file path, the server would not know which resource the user intends to access, resulting in an inability to provide the requested data.