What is a Web Browser?
Web browsers serve as the gateway between humans and the internet. When you type a URL or click a link, the browser sends a request to a web server, downloads the resources (HTML, CSS, images, scripts), and displays them in a readable format.
Browsers also provide essential features for productivity and security:
- Tabs & Windows for multitasking.
- Bookmarks and history for quick recall.
- Extensions / Add-ons for customization and automation.
- Developer Tools for inspecting code and debugging.
- Privacy Controls such as incognito or private-browsing modes.
Modern browsers have evolved into platforms for applications, supporting advanced APIs (WebAssembly, WebRTC, Service Workers) that allow complex software - like AI copilots or games - to run directly in the browser. It interprets web pages written in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, rendering them visually so users can navigate websites, web apps, and online services. Popular web browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.
How Web Browsers Work
- Input: User enters a URL or query.
- DNS Resolution: The browser finds the server’s IP address.
- Request: It sends an HTTP/HTTPS request to that server.
- Response: The server returns data (HTML, CSS, JS, media).
- Rendering: The browser engine parses and paints content to the screen.
- Interaction: JavaScript executes, handling clicks, forms, and animations.
