Capterra Glossary
A uniform resource name (URN) is a unique, persistent string of characters assigned to a data resource that allows it to be easily recognized by a computer program. Unlike uniform resource locators (URLs), URNs cannot be used to find a data resource's exact location on the internet. Their only function is to assign a unique identifier to a data resource so that it can be effectively identified by a program. A URN and URL work together to allow end users to identify and locate specific web content on the internet.
Small and midsize web development companies often use URNs when trying to locate web content that has been moved to a new web page or website. URNs can be used to easily identify the nearest copy of a web page's contents by name. This relieves web development teams from having to know the exact location to which the web page content has been relocated.