1. Absolute File Paths:

An absolute file path provides the full and exact address of a resource from the root of the web server or file system. It starts from the root directory, often denoted by a forward slash (/). For instance, if you have a stylesheet called “styles.css” located in a directory called “css,” the absolute path might look like this:

<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/styles.css">

Absolute file paths are useful when resources are spread across different directories and you need to be specific about the resource’s location. However, they can be less flexible, making your website less portable and harder to maintain if you decide to change your directory structure.

2. Relative File Paths:

Relative file paths, on the other hand, describe the location of a resource relative to the current webpage’s location. This method is often preferred for its flexibility and simplicity. Relative file paths don’t start with a forward slash and are usually used when resources are located within the same directory or in a subdirectory of the current webpage.

Here are some examples of relative file paths:

• To reference a file in the same directory:

<img src="image.jpg" alt="A sample image">

• To reference a file in a subdirectory:

<img src="images/image.jpg" alt="Another image">

• To reference a parent directory:

<img src="../parent-directory/image.jpg" alt="Parent directory image">

Relative file paths make your code more adaptable and easier to manage because they’re not tied to a specific location. This makes them a great choice for smaller websites and projects.