2.3.2. q-component

The q-component serves a similar function to the URI query component [RFC3986], but uses a different syntax to preserve backward compatibility with earlier URN syntax specifications.

The sequence "?=" introduces the q-component. The q-component ends with the "#" character (number sign, beginning the f-component). If that character does not appear, the q-component extends to the end of the URN.

As described in Section 3, the q-component should not be considered when determining URN-equivalence.

The q-component may be used to pass parameters that will be interpreted by the identified resource or by software used to manage that resource. The exact semantics of the q-component depend on the URN namespace and/or the nature of the resource, and are not defined by this specification.

Example:

urn:example:weather?=op=map&lat=39.56&lon=-104.85&datetime=1969-07-21T02:56:15Z