What is a Browser?

When you're online, you use it all the time (in fact, most likely you're using it right now to look at this course), but you might not think about what it really is.

A “browser” is a software application (or program) that is used to view and/or manipulate network-related resources, including Web pages.

A browser is what’s called an “interpretive” program. It takes some basic structure-based information, and interprets how to display it on the screen.

A browser is a file viewer. It is capable of viewing and interacting with various different types of files. Most modern browsers are capable of viewing and interacting with text, graphics, multimedia, and certain programming languages.

Some browsers are also capable of viewing other types of files by adding small program modules into their operating code that interpret the files. These modules are often called “plug-ins.”

Just as important as knowing what a browser is is knowing what is isn't!

Browsers are not standardized, due mostly to brand competition. Different browsers may display the same document completely differently, and certain programming code may result in errors if not viewed with the “right” browser. For example, Microsoft's Internet Explorer may be able to "overlook" some errors in code that Netscape's Navigator would not display correctly, and vice versa.

Browsers are not universal file viewers; there will always be some file types that browsers will not be able to view.

Regardless of the manufacturer, some features remain the same:

• URL destinations can be directly entered.
• The browser can record URL’s for later revisits.
• It can move forwards and backwards through a “history” of recently visited pages.
• Browsers are highly flexible; you can choose custom default page and font colors, starting page, mail and news settings, security settings, what programs it uses for “plug-ins,” and a good deal more.

The two major browser "manufacturers" on the market today are Netscape ("Navigator" and "Communicator") and Microsoft ("Internet Explorer")

For the most part, it's a matter of personal preference when choosing which one to use; both are free, and either one will work fine for viewing most files on the Internet. The most obvious differences between them are as follows:

• The box you enter URL's into to go to various places on the Internet is labelled "Location" in Netscape and "Address" in Microsoft.
  
  
• Recording URL's to revisit them later is called "Adding a Bookmark" in Netscape and "Adding a Favorite" in Microsoft
  
  
• Netscape's browser has a built-in email program. Microsoft's opens another program to send and receive email, but this program is usually packaged with the browser for no additional charge.

Now that we know what's necessary to view Web pages, let's move on to learning what a Web page really is!