PseudoURL

pseudoURL is a term used in computing to denote a URL-like string that does not correspond to a network resource. It serves as an identifier for internal resources, application routes, or placeholders in documentation and testing. Unlike standard URLs, pseudoURLs rely on non-network semantics defined by the host environment and are not intended to be fetched over the Internet.

In web browsers, pseudoURLs often refer to internal pages or tools, such as about:, view-source:, or chrome://. In software development, routing libraries, testing frameworks, and UI documentation may use pseudoURLs to represent navigation states or component views without requiring a live backend. When encountered, the host application provides the logic to interpret and handle the string, mapping it to a specific resource or action within the application rather than a remote resource.

PseudoURLs are useful for illustrating navigation flows, organizing internal references, and enabling testing without network access. They can also help document expected behavior in a controlled environment. However, their meaning is environment-specific, which can lead to ambiguity if examples are moved between systems without accompanying explanations.

In summary, a pseudoURL is a URL-like identifier that conveys intent within a particular application or framework without pointing to an actual web resource. Related concepts include URLs, URIs, pseudo-protocols, and internal routing schemes.