← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Browser function: address bar

The part of a browser where the user types a URL to visit a page. It also shows the URL of the current page and a padlock when the site is secure.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 5.1 The Internet and the World Wide Web — Module 19

Understanding Browser function: address bar in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: Typing a full URL like this into the address bar and pressing Enter tells the browser which page to load. A padlock next to the URL in the address bar tells the user the connection uses HTTPS and is secure. The address bar is where the user types a URL. The history list only records pages already visited. Showing the current URL is an address bar job. Opening several pages in one window is done by tabs. The address bar both displays the current URL and accepts a new URL typed by the user. The padlock shown in the address bar means data is encrypted in transit, not that the website content is trustworthy.

Common mistakes: The address bar shows the padlock when the site is secure. It should be 'IF secure THEN show padlock', not hide it. The user types the URL into the address bar, so the text must be read from address_bar.text, not a status bar.

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Learning
Duo
Where in a browser do you type a URL to visit a website?
The address barThe history list
Matches
The address bar is where bookmarks are saved so you can return to pages later
↓
This describes bookmarks, not the address bar. The address bar is for typing and showing the URL of a page.
Applying
Meanings
Term
address bar
Meaning
The part of a browser where the user types a URL to visit a page. It also shows the URL of the current page and a padlock when the site is secure.
Practice
address_bar ← "https://www.example.com/home.html"
Testing
Gaps
Type a into the address bar
Check Answer
Spots
2secure ← LEFT(url,5)="https"
3IF secure THEN hide padlock

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Quick Questions

1. Where in a browser do you type a URL to visit a website?
A. The history list
B. The address bar ✓
The address bar is where the user types a URL. The history list only records pages already visited.
2. While you are on a web page, what does the address bar show?
A. The URL of the current page ✓
B. The cookies stored by the page
The address bar displays the URL of the page you are viewing. Cookies are stored by the browser and are not shown there.
3. A padlock appears next to the URL in the address bar. What does it show?
A. The site is secure (it uses HTTPS) ✓
B. The page has been bookmarked
The padlock tells the user the connection is secure. A bookmark is shown by a star or similar icon.
4. Which of these is an address bar job?
A. Showing the URL of the current page ✓
B. Opening several pages in one window
Showing the current URL is an address bar job. Opening several pages in one window is done by tabs.
5. Sam wants to visit https://www.example.com. What should Sam do?
A. Type the URL into the bookmarks list
B. Type the URL into the address bar ✓
Typing the URL into the address bar tells the browser which page to request. Bookmarks only store URLs you have already saved.

Match the Pairs

https://www.example.com → A URL a student types into the address bar to visit a website
address bar → The part of the browser that shows the URL of the page currently being viewed
The address bar lets the user type a URL to visit a page → https://www.bbc.co.uk/news
The address bar shows a padlock when the site is secure and uses HTTPS → 🔒 https://www.mybank.com
The address bar is where bookmarks are saved so you can return to pages later → This describes bookmarks, not the address bar. The address bar is for typing and showing the URL of a page.
A padlock in the address bar means the website is certain to be trustworthy and safe from viruses → The padlock only shows the connection is secure (HTTPS and encrypted). It does not guarantee the site itself is safe or honest.

Key Term

address bar
The part of a browser where the user types a URL to visit a page. It also shows the URL of the current page and a padlock when the site is secure.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Type a URL into the address bar
Hint: Type the name for a web address that the user enters.
2. Address bar: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news
Hint: Type the secure protocol that makes the padlock appear.
3. Secure site: address bar shows a padlock
Hint: Type the symbol shown when a site is secure.
4. The address bar is where you type a URL
Hint: Type the name of the browser part where URLs are entered.
5. Address bar shows the current page's URL
Hint: Type the word describing the page you are on right now.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A url ← "https://shop.com"
B secure ← LEFT(url,5)="https"
C IF secure THEN hide padlock
Line C — The address bar shows the padlock when the site is secure. It should be 'IF secure THEN show padlock', not hide it.
Question 2
A typed ← status_bar.text
B IF typed = "" THEN STOP
C LOAD(typed)
Line A — The user types the URL into the address bar, so the text must be read from address_bar.text, not a status bar.
Question 3
A page ← LOAD("https//a.com")
B address_bar.text ← page.url
C OUTPUT address_bar.text
Line A — The URL is missing the colon after https. It should be "https://a.com" so the browser can read the protocol.
Question 4
A typed ← address_bar.text
B request ← GET(typed)
C page ← server.reply(request)
D address_bar.text ← page.title
Line D — The address bar shows the URL of the current page, so it should be set to page.url, not the page title.
Question 5
A url ← "https://cloodit.com"
B IF LEFT(url,4)="https" THEN
C show padlock
D ENDIF
Line B — "https" has 5 characters, so LEFT(url,4) can never equal it. It should be LEFT(url,5).

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