Web Browser Functions

A web browser is a software application used to access, retrieve, and display information on the World Wide Web. It acts as a gateway between the user and the internet, interpreting the code of web pages and presenting them in a user-friendly format.

Purpose of a Web Browser

The primary purpose of a web browser is to allow users to:

• Access and view web pages.
• Navigate between different web pages using hyperlinks.
• Interact with web content (e.g., forms, videos, audio).
• Retrieve files from the internet.
• Communicate with online services.

Functions of a Web Browser

Web browsers perform several key functions to fulfill their purpose. These include:

1. Requesting Web Resources: When a user enters a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or clicks a hyperlink, the browser sends a request to the web server hosting the requested resource.
2. Receiving and Interpreting Data: The web server responds by sending the web page's data (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, etc.) back to the browser. The browser then interprets this data.
3. Rendering Web Pages: The browser uses a rendering engine to interpret the HTML code and display the web page visually. This involves creating the layout, applying styles (using CSS), and executing scripts (using JavaScript).
4. Navigation: Browsers provide tools for navigating the web, such as back and forward buttons, address bar for entering URLs, and bookmarks for saving frequently visited pages.
5. Security: Modern browsers incorporate security features to protect users from malicious websites and data breaches. This includes features like HTTPS support, sandboxing, and malware detection.

Function	Description
URL Handling	Processes and interprets URLs to locate web resources.
HTTP/HTTPS Requests	Sends requests to web servers using protocols like HTTP and HTTPS.
HTML Parsing	Parses HTML code to create the structure of the web page.
CSS Interpretation	Interprets CSS rules to style the appearance of the web page.
JavaScript Execution	Executes JavaScript code to add interactivity and dynamic content.
Rendering Engine	The component responsible for displaying the visual representation of the web page.

Different web browsers are available, each with its own strengths and features. Examples include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.