INTERNATIONAL DN Meaning and
Definition
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International domain name refers to a specific type of internet domain name that is designed to support and represent non-ASCII characters or scripts. The purpose of an international domain name (IDN) is to enable internet users to register domain names in their native language or script, reflecting their cultural or linguistic identity. Unlike traditional domain names that are limited to ASCII characters, IDNs can include characters from non-English scripts such as Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, or Devanagari.
By allowing users to register domain names in their own language, IDNs promote inclusivity and accessibility in the online world. These domain names are particularly significant for non-English speaking communities, as they enable individuals and organizations to establish a distinct online presence that accurately represents their culture and identity. The introduction of IDNs has also contributed to enhancing international communication and fostering multilingualism on the Internet.
To ensure compatibility and uniformity across different systems, IDNs are encoded through a process called Punycode, which converts non-ASCII characters into ASCII format. This transformation makes it possible for IDNs to be processed and navigated by internet protocols, web browsers, and other networking software. Various top-level domains (TLDs) now support IDNs, thus expanding the diversity and linguistic representation of the online domain name system.
