The term "canonical name" refers to the official or authorized name of a particular entity, such as a website or a computer. Its pronunciation is /kəˈnɒnɪkəl neɪm/, with the stress on the second syllable. The first syllable is pronounced as "kuh-nuh-nih-kuhl," with the short "uh" sound followed by the long "ih" sound. The second syllable is pronounced as "ney-m" with a long "ee" sound followed immediately by the "m." The word is spelled as "canonical" which means conforming to a general rule or acceptable standard.
A canonical name refers to a unique identifier that represents a specific entity or resource within a given context. It is commonly used in various fields like computer science, networking, and domain naming systems (DNS). In the context of computer networks, a canonical name is associated with the domain name system and is used to resolve a human-readable domain name to a machine-readable IP address.
In simple terms, a canonical name provides a standardized, unique name for an entity, ensuring that it is universally identifiable and recognizable across different systems or platforms. It helps in avoiding confusion or ambiguity that may arise due to multiple names or aliases associated with an entity.
In the domain name system, a canonical name, also known as a CNAME, is a type of resource record that allows an alias to be created for a domain. It is used when multiple domain names need to point to the same IP address or server. The canonical name serves as a pointer to the original or canonical domain, allowing the resolution of the actual IP address associated with it.
Overall, a canonical name plays a crucial role in providing a standardized and definitive reference for identifying entities, whether it be a network resource, domain name, or any other object. Its purpose is to establish an unambiguous and universally recognized name, facilitating efficient communication and management in various fields.
The word "canonical" originated from the Late Latin term "canonicus", which referred to something or someone conforming to a rule or standard. It derives from the Greek word "kanon" meaning "rule" or "law". In religious contexts, "canonical" refers to conformity with religious laws, doctrines, or recognized sources of authority.
The word "name" has Old English and Germanic roots. It comes from the Old English word "nama" and the Germanic word "namô".
When used together, "canonical name" refers to a name recognized or agreed upon as the standard or authoritative representation of a specific entity or concept.