Web Browser
A web browser is a piece of software used to access and display information on the internet.
Purpose of a Web Browser
- The main purpose of a web browser is to render hypertext markup language (HTML) and display web pages
- Web browsers interpret the code in HTML documents and translate it into a visual display for the user
Functions of a Web Browser
- Render HTML
- This will display the webpage
- Storing bookmarks and favourites
- Web browsers allow users to save links to frequently visited websites and access them easily using bookmarks or favourites
- Recording user history
- Web browsers record the user's browsing history, allowing them to quickly revisit recently viewed pages
- Allowing use of multiple tabs
- Web browsers allow users to open multiple tabs and switch between them quickly and easily
- Storing cookies
- Web browsers store cookies, which are small files that contain user preferences and login information for websites
- Providing navigation tools
- Web browsers provide navigation tools, such as back and forward buttons and a home button, to help users move between pages
- Providing an address bar
Web browsers provide an address bar, which allows users to enter a URL or search term and navigate to a website or search for information
- Homepage
- This is the initial page that appears when the browser is launched
- The homepage can be customised to display frequently visited websites or specific content
- Runs Active Scripts
- These are small programs embedded in web pages that allow interactive content such as animations, videos, and pop-up windows to be displayed
- Download Files
- A web browser allows files to be downloaded from the internet, such as documents, images, and software
- Request Web Pages
- When you enter a web address in the address bar, the web browser sends a request to the web server to obtain the contents of the web page
- The server responds by sending the web page to the browser, which displays it on the screen
- DNS
- The web browser sends the URL to the DNS, which translates the URL into an IP address, which is used to locate the web server
- Manages Protocols
- Web browsers manage the HTTP and HTTPS protocols, which are used to transfer data between web servers and browsers
- HTTP is used for regular web pages, while HTTPS is used for secure pages that require encryption, such as online banking or shopping sites
