Short for persistent URL, a type of URL that acts as an intermediary for a real URL of a Web resource. When you enter a PURL in a browser, the browser sends the page request to a PURL server which then returns the real URL of the page. PURLs are persistent because once a PURL is established, it never needs to change. The real address of the web page may change but the PURL remains the same.
PURLs are managed by the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC).
Persistent URLs - article Network Notes article (April 1996) on what Persistent Uniform Resource Locators (PURLs) are and how they work. Includes a link to further information.
Persitent URLs FAQ Contains frequently asked questions about Persitent URLs.
