Hosts File
The hosts file is a plain-text file used by operating systems to map hostnames to IP addresses, overriding DNS lookups. It serves as a local DNS resolver, allowing users to manually control domain name resolution for testing, blocking, or redirecting websites. This file is system-specific, with locations like /etc/hosts on Unix-based systems and C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts on Windows.
Developers should learn about the hosts file for local development and testing, such as simulating domain names for web applications without configuring DNS servers. It's also useful for blocking unwanted websites by redirecting them to localhost (127.0.0.1) or for debugging network issues by bypassing DNS. Common use cases include testing website migrations, setting up local environments with custom domains, and enhancing security by blocking malicious sites.