Pretty URLs are URLs that a human can read and understand more about what it will take them to than about how the server will dredge it up for them. The concept has been around for a while, but like public hygiene there needs to be infrastructure in place to support the good intentions of the public.
That’s where Rails’ Routing comes in.
See also Routes
In general, PrettyURLs are:
- Stable; they don’t change and thus are safe to link to
- Predictable; if you know the format of one or two you can easily derive similar ones
- Human readable/typable/memorable/pronounceable
Examples:
http://www.mysite.com/Forums/reply_with_quote/1542http://archive.poodle-news.com/monthly_digest/1994/January
Contrast with UglyURLs.