What Are Web Browsers?

Introduction to Web Browsers

• The lesson introduces web browsers, their history, functionality, and examples. They are essential for accessing the internet and have become crucial software applications used daily.

• Web browsers serve as gateways to various online services such as social media, email, video streaming, news, and e-commerce.

Understanding How Browsers Work

• A web browser is a program that displays information from web pages by interpreting HTML code. It allows users to interact with content and navigate between sites.

• Basic functionalities include viewing text documents with multimedia resources, visiting websites, linking between sites, printing documents, and sending/receiving emails.

Historical Development of Browsers

• The first web browser was developed in 1990 by Tim Berners-Lee; it was sophisticated but limited to specific systems.

• Mosaic was the second graphical web browser that expanded accessibility across different operating systems. Netscape Navigator soon surpassed it in speed and capabilities.

Major Browser Releases

• Internet Explorer emerged as Microsoft's late entry into the market but eventually dominated Windows users due to its integration with the OS.

• Apple launched Safari on January 7, 2003; it quickly gained market share due to its speed and features.

Evolution of Popular Browsers

• Mozilla Firefox debuted in late 2004 as a lighter alternative aiming to capture part of Internet Explorer's market share.

• Google Chrome was released on September 2, 2008; it became the most widely used browser globally by December 2011.

Key Features of Modern Browsers

Overview of Popular Browsers

• Google Chrome is known for its speed and extensive library of extensions; it has over 750 million users worldwide.

• Mozilla Firefox is favored for its reliability and customization options. It remains popular due to low memory usage while providing good browsing speeds.

Conclusion on Browser Functionality

Safari and Internet Explorer: A Comparative Overview

Safari: Apple's Browser

• Safari is the fourth most used web browser, created by Apple, and is exclusively available on Apple devices such as iPad, iPhone, and Mac.

• The first beta version of Safari was released in January 2003, with its official launch occurring in June of the same year. Initially, Apple aimed to offer Safari for Windows devices but shifted focus to its own products starting in 2012.

• A key feature of Safari is its emphasis on user security and privacy, incorporating functionalities designed to protect users while browsing.

Internet Explorer: Microsoft's Legacy

• Internet Explorer retains a significant market share due to being the first widely adopted browser and its default status on all Microsoft PCs; however, it struggles against competitors due to numerous performance issues.