Ruby on Rails Coding Interview Question: URL Shortener Application

What?

A URL shortener is a tool or service that converts long URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) into shorter, more compact versions. It takes a lengthy web address and generates a new, abbreviated URL that redirects users to the original long URL when clicked or accessed.

The primary purpose of a URL shortener is to create shorter, more manageable links that are easier to share, remember, and use in various online contexts. Instead of sharing a lengthy and complex URL, users can provide a concise and user-friendly link.

URL shorteners typically work by assigning a unique identifier or code to the original URL. When a user accesses the shortened URL, the URL shortener service receives the request and redirects the user to the original URL associated with that code.

Here’s an example:

Original URL: https://www.example.com/some/long/url/that/is/difficult/to/remember

Shortened URL: https://www.example.com/abc123

When someone clicks or visits the shortened URL, it automatically opens the original URL, allowing them to access the intended web page.

Why?

Shareability and Social Media