Domain NamesOnce you've registered your domain name it is held for you but is not active.
At this point you have several options; you can leave it inactive indefinitely, or you can have it point to the server that houses [or will house] your web site.
This is called "hosting". Those who have registered domains simply with the intent of ensuring that it is still available when they need it typically opt to leave it inactive until such time as they are ready to use it.
The domain does not have any email or error-message configured and will not respond to any queries. It is simply no longer available for others to register. Those who are not yet ready to put a web site in place, but want to have in place a message for their audience typically opt for "parking".
The final option is known as "Hosting". In this scenario you get email boxes, space on a server to host your web site, ftp access to upload your files, and almost any combination of other options, depending primarily on the level of hosting you decide upon.
