Web Browser | Computer for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Web Browser

• A web browser is a type of software that allows users to access and view information on the internet.
• A web browser serves as a tool for accessing and interacting with content on the web.
• It enables users to navigate websites, read text, view images, watch videos, and more.
• Web browsers interpret and display web content coded in languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Purpose of a Web Browser

• Web browsers have a primary function of interpreting and rendering Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) to display web pages to users.
• They play a crucial role in translating the code within HTML documents into a visual format that users can easily interact with.

Functions of a Web Browser

• Web browsers render HTML to display webpages.
• They allow users to store bookmarks and favorites for easy access to frequently visited sites.
• Browsers record user history, enabling quick revisits to recently viewed pages.
• Users can utilize multiple tabs for efficient browsing.
• Cookies are stored by web browsers to keep user preferences and login details.
• Navigation tools like back and forward buttons aid in moving between pages.
• An address bar is provided for entering website URLs.

Web Browsers Features

• HTML rendering: This function presents the webpage on the screen.
• Bookmark and favorite storage: Users can save frequently visited website links for easy access using bookmarks or favorites.
• User history recording: Browsers keep track of users' browsing history, enabling quick revisits to recently viewed pages.
• Tabbed browsing: Browsers enable users to open and switch between multiple tabs efficiently.
• Cookie storage: Browsers store cookies containing user preferences and website login information.
• Navigation tools provision: Browsers offer navigation tools like back and forward buttons, as well as a home button, aiding users in page navigation.
• Address bar provision: Browsers include an address bar allowing users to enter URLs or search terms, facilitating website navigation and information retrieval.
• Homepage: This is the initial page that appears when the browser is launched. The homepage can be customized 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 used to locate the web server.
• Manages Protocols: Web browsers manage the HTTP and HTTPS protocols. HTTP is used for regular web pages, while HTTPS is used for secure pages like online banking or shopping sites.
• How Web Browsers Work: When you type a web address into the browser's address bar, a request is sent to the web server to fetch the webpage content. The server then responds by sending the webpage back to the browser, which displays it on your screen.
• DNS (Domain Name System): DNS plays a crucial role in the process. It translates the URL into an IP address, enabling the browser to locate the web server.
• Protocol Management: Web browsers manage protocols like HTTP and HTTPS. HTTP is used for standard web pages, while HTTPS encrypts data for secure transactions, like online banking.