networking - How are 127.0.0.1, 0.0.0.0 and localhost different? -

i don't understand difference between these terms , how connected.

i looked @ hosts file on computer , see 127.0.0.1 , localhost connected not sure how , don't know 0.0.0.0 fits this.

i've seen other answers question i'm newbie , other answers loopbacks , meta-addresses weren't easy follow.

yes, on local system localhost translate 127.0.0.1, ip address of machine using. example, on computer accessing 127.0.0.1 (or localhost) attempt open connection own computer (useful if you're hosting local web server)

meanwhile, 0.0.0.0 has different use. on server or machine more 1 ip address, can used refer of ip addresses machine uses. example, if create simple java application serversocket, may want server socket listen incoming connections on of servers ip addresses. set server socket listen on 0.0.0.0. hope helps!