What is the purpose of a domain name?

The purpose of a domain name is primarily to serve as a human-readable address for a website. This allows users to easily remember and access websites without needing to recall the complex numerical IP addresses that computers use for communication. For instance, instead of typing in an IP address like 192.0.2.1, users can simply enter a domain name like "example.com." This human-friendly format is essential for navigating the internet and contributes significantly to the usability of web applications and services.

While other aspects of internet functionality relate to security, data storage, or speed, they do not pertain to the main function of a domain name. Therefore, the focus on providing an easily recognizable and memorable address highlights why it is central to web navigation and usability.