Unit I

A web browser, or simply "browser," is an application used to access and view websites. Common web browsers include Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari.

The primary function of a web browser is to render HTML, the code used to design or "mark up" webpages. Each time a the browser loads a web page, it processes the HTML, which may include text, links, and references to images and other items, such as cascading style sheets and JavaScript functions. The browser processes these items then renders them in the browser window.

1.1 Web Browsing: History of web Browsers, Basic Functions of Web Browser, and Types of Web Browsers

Within the realm of computing, web browsing history is the list of web pages a user has visited recently, as well as associated data such as page title and time of visit, which is recorded by web browser software as standard for a certain period of time. Web browser software does this in order to provide the user with a back button and a history list to go back to pages they have visited previously as well as displaying visited links (typically by colouring them purple) rather than relying on the user to remember where they have been on the web.

In addition to the web browser software itself, third-party services can also, record a user's web browsing history (completely or partially). For example, in Google Web History, the clicks of registered users are recorded and stored in individual user histories, each of which is browsable and searchable by that user (this is in addition to the click-tracking Google records for its own internal purposes, such as advertising click tracking). If the user installs the Google Toolbar, all pages that the user visits while logged into Google on that computer may be recorded as well. A potential benefit to the user is that they can review—and search through—all of their web browsing history on any computer, but this can have privacy implications.

What is the primary function of the Web browsers?
- Web browser functions are to provide the resources or information to the user when asked by them.
- It processes the user inputs in the form of URL like http://www.google.com in the browser and allows the access to that page.
- URL is used to identify the resources and fetch them from the server and displays it to the client.
- It allows the user to interact with the web pages and dynamic content like surveys, forms, etc.
- It also allows the user to navigate through the complete web page and see its source code in the HTML format.
- It provides security to the data and the resources that are available on the web that is by using secure methods.

Web Browsers are software installed on your PC. To access the Web, you need a web browser, such as Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox.

Currently, you must be using any sort of Web browser while you are navigating through our site tutorialspoint.com. On the Web, when you navigate through pages of information, this is commonly known as web browsing or web surfing.

There are four leading web browsers − Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, and Safari, but there are many other browsers available. You might be interested in knowing Complete Browser Statistics. Now we will see these browsers in a bit more detail.

While developing a site, we should try to make it compatible with as many browsers as possible. Especially sites should be compatible with major browsers like Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Netscape, Opera, and Safari.

Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer (IE) is a product from software giant Microsoft. This is the most commonly used browser in the universe. This was introduced in 1995 along with Windows 95 launch and it has passed Netscape popularity in 1998.

You can download the latest version of this browser by clicking here → Download Internet Explorer

Google Chrome

This web browser is developed by Google and its beta version was first released on September 2, 2008, for Microsoft Windows. Today, chrome is known to be one of the most popular web browser with its global share of more than 50%.

You can download the latest version of this browser by clicking here → Download Google Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox is a new browser derived from Mozilla. It was released in 2004 and has grown to be the second most popular browser on the Internet.

You can download the latest version of this browser by clicking here → Download Firefox

Safari

Safari is a web browser developed by Apple Inc. and included in Mac OS X. It was first released as a public beta in January 2003. Safari has very good support for the latest technologies like XHTML, CSS2 etc.

You can download the latest version of this browser by clicking here → Download Safari

Opera

Opera is smaller and faster than most other browsers, yet it is full- featured. Fast, user-friendly, with a keyboard interface, multiple windows, zoom functions, and more. Java and non-Java-enabled versions available. Ideal for newcomers to the Internet, school children, handicap and as a front-end for CD-Rom and kiosks.

You can download the latest version of this browser by clicking here → Download Opera

Konqueror

Konqueror is an Open Source web browser with HTML 4.01 compliance, supporting Java applets, JavaScript, CSS 1, CSS 2.1, as well as Netscape plugins. This works as a file manager as well as it supports basic file management on local UNIX filesystems, from simple cut/copy and paste operations to advanced remote and local network file browsing.

You can download the latest version of this browser by clicking here → Download Konqueror

Lynx

Lynx is a fully-featured World Wide Web browser for users on Unix, VMS, and other platforms running cursor-addressable, character-cell terminals or emulators.

You can download the latest version of this browser by clicking here → Download Lynx

1.2 Features of Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Fire Fox, UC Browser and Opera Mini

These are the four main features of Internet Explorer :

1. Error reporting mechanism. Lets end-users report failures they encounter during use.
2. Personal Bar. Brings a new level of personalization and convenience to Web browsing
3. Privacy enhancements. Provide the end user with control over how cookies can be used in collecting information.
4. Standards Support. Internet Explorer 6 supports more features of the standards, CSS level 1 and DOM level 1.

Most useful features of google crome :

Play any video in your browser (Even if you do not have a VLC media player in office laptops), Just drag and drop the video into a new tab of browser.

You can use Ctrl+Shift+T to reopen all previous tabs if you close the browser.

play the dinosaur game when you don't have internet! It's a great game! Just click space when you see this.

Feature of Mozilla firefox:

It is Plug-in compatible meaning the browser is given the ability to add certain features to the browser to add new features or make existing features more convenient or intuitive.

Generally fast web page downloads

"Safe browsing" gives added security against phishing attacks and malware.

The multi-tab feature allows for easy multi-tasking

Private browsing allows user to surf the internet without recording history or cookies

Feature of opera mini:

There are features in Opera Mini Opera Link, which serves to synchronize your bookmarks with Opera 10 Opera Mini on your PC. To use this facility and we are quite a mengeclik menu Synchronize Opera from Opera Mini.

Regarding convenience, there are shortcuts that will be connected by a link from a website address that we are headed.

Opera also provides a virtual mouse facility, the facility is provided to the Opera Mini browser for the same and looks like the original if you use the Opera 10 on PC

One of the most powerful compared to other browsers, Opera Mini has superior technology that will generate the display data is already compressed data. So for Streaming data will be much less. Obviously with these advanced capabilities Browsing with Opera is much more efficient pulse Internet.

For Security problem, then the Opera system of data encryption using technologies AMPS, TDMA, namely the connection between an access point and Internet gateway in the local network.

Feature of UC Browser:

★ Download Status Video on social network
 The latest version adds status video download feature. You can check out and save many popular status videos. If you log in your WhatsApp account on UC Browser, you can share the status video you like instantly. (Users in India Only)
 ★Fast Downloads
 Our servers speed up and stabilize downloads. If any disconnection or interruption occurs, UC Browser can continue downloading from breakpoint. By accelerating the downloading process, it saves you time for downloadable files.
 ★Smooth User Experience
 No more frozen pages. Enjoy the smoothest Internet surfing. Your search results instantly appear, quick access to socializing, web searching and entertaining.
 ★Cricket Card Feature
 UC Browser adds special Cricket feature for Cricket fans. Most updated Cricket match live, scores and related information can easily be searched.
 ★Data Saving
 UC Browser compresses data, speeds up navigation and helps you save a lot of cellular data traffic. The more you browse, the more data you can save with UC Browser.
 ★Ad Block
 Ad block functionality blocks different forms of ads that affect your browse experience. It helps you visit webpages Ad-Free on your android devices, no more pop-up banner ads.
 ★Videos for all tastes
 UC Browser allows you to watch movie and TV series. The menu categorizes videos in different tastes: humour, clips, girls, anime, trailers, or even war films.
 ★Facebook Mode
 This unique feature speeds up Facebook regardless of your network condition. UC Browser always finds a way to increase your network speed.
 ★Night Mode
 Switch to night mode on UC Browser to read more comfortably at night.

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