Question 1

What is a browser?

Accepted Answer

A browser is a software application that lets users access, explore, and retrieve information from the internet on their desktops and mobile devices. Users must have internet access to use browsers.  
 A browser client program sends a user’s information queries to a server. It then receives HTML, JavaScript, or CSS responses from the web address with the desired information. Next, the web browser uses a rendering engine to translate and render server responses in formats humans can understand, including text and images. Browsers use HTTP and HTTPS protocols to facilitate this communication between users and websites.

Question 2

Browser features

Accepted Answer

Web browsers offer several features for meeting web standards, making the web accessible, and allowing users to enjoy the internet.

The home page is the first page that loads after a user opens a browser. Most browser programs feature default home page settings, which users can change according to their preferences.

The home button is an icon that typically appears at the top of a web page. When users click it, it takes them to the starting point of a website. Many browsers let users set the home page, which they can visit by clicking the home button.

The address bar or uniform resource locator (URL) is where users navigate where they want to visit on the web. They can also type domain names and hit enter to see specific websites.

Navigation buttons return users to pages they previously opened and move forward to pages based on their browser history. Users can find navigation buttons in the upper left corner of the browser window.

Browsing history is where the browser saves all the websites a user has visited. This section also retains metadata like page title and time of visit to help users revisit pages.

Bookmarks are essential to web browsing as they let users store website URL addresses for future reference. People often use bookmarks to visit their most frequented sites, instead of typing out the URL.

Autofill helps users fill out forms based on the information they previously provided.

The refresh button resembles a circular arrow icon and sits on the left or right side of the browser address bar, depending on which browser you’re using. It reloads and accesses updated content when users can’t do so themselves.

Tabbed browsing offers users the option to open multiple web pages in one window. This feature is meant to help users organize and switch between pages.

The stop button stops a web page from loading by forcing the browser to cancel communication with the server.

Extensions or plugins are software applications that users install to enhance the functionality of web browsers.

Question 3

Types of browsers

Accepted Answer

Browsers are of two types: open-source and closed-source.

Open-source browsers publicly share source code that developers can use or modify to improve browser performance. Mozilla Firefox is a free, open-source browser software available under the Mozilla Public License.

Closed-source or proprietary browsers keep their codebase private, meaning developers can’t modify or redistribute them. Microsoft Edge is an example of a proprietary web browser.

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