Difference between revisions of "Web browser"
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| − | A '''web browser''' is a [[computer]] [[software|program]] which | + | A '''web browser''' is a [[computer]] [[software|program]] which downloads and displays [[web pages]] on the [[World Wide Web]] (or a local device). Its main purpose is to load and display graphical pages on the [[internet]]. The original internet browser was NCSA Mosaic.<ref>http://www.livinginternet.com/w/wi_browse.htm</ref> Before long, however, Netscape<ref>http://www.boutell.com/newfaq/history/fbrowser.html</ref> and [[AOL]] became most popular, while NCSA Mosaic became obsolete. |
There are five major web browsers currently in use; [[Internet Explorer]] (replaced by [[Microsoft Edge|Edge]]), [[Mozilla Firefox|Firefox]], [[Safari (web browser)|Safari]], [[Opera (web browser)|Opera]], and [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]]-based browsers, including [[Google Chrome]]. IE currently holds the largest "[[market share]]" in desktop browsing but this is being eroded by [[mobile phone]] and tablet browsers from Apple and Google. The independent browsers Opera and Firefox are well positioned and compete across multiple platforms. | There are five major web browsers currently in use; [[Internet Explorer]] (replaced by [[Microsoft Edge|Edge]]), [[Mozilla Firefox|Firefox]], [[Safari (web browser)|Safari]], [[Opera (web browser)|Opera]], and [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]]-based browsers, including [[Google Chrome]]. IE currently holds the largest "[[market share]]" in desktop browsing but this is being eroded by [[mobile phone]] and tablet browsers from Apple and Google. The independent browsers Opera and Firefox are well positioned and compete across multiple platforms. | ||
Other browsers are carving niches such as Dolphin for Android phones or [[Pale Moon]] for Atom processors. [[Microsoft]] has introduced a new browser with [[Windows 10]] to replace IE, called [[Microsoft Edge|Edge]]. | Other browsers are carving niches such as Dolphin for Android phones or [[Pale Moon]] for Atom processors. [[Microsoft]] has introduced a new browser with [[Windows 10]] to replace IE, called [[Microsoft Edge|Edge]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[Internet Explorer]] | ||
| + | *[[Mozilla Firefox]] | ||
| + | *[[Safari (web browser)|Safari]] | ||
| + | *[[Opera (web browser)|Opera]] | ||
| + | *[[Google Chrome]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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== External links == | == External links == | ||
| − | * [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx Microsoft Internet Explorer] | + | * [http://www.netmarketshare.com/browser-market-share.aspx?qprid=1 Browser market shares - Net Market share] |
| + | <!--* [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx Microsoft Internet Explorer] | ||
* [http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/firefox.html Firefox] and [http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/mobile/features/ Firefox Mobile] | * [http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/firefox.html Firefox] and [http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/mobile/features/ Firefox Mobile] | ||
* [http://www.apple.com/safari/ Apple Safari] | * [http://www.apple.com/safari/ Apple Safari] | ||
* [http://www.opera.com/ Opera] and [http://www.opera.com/mobile/ Opera Mini] | * [http://www.opera.com/ Opera] and [http://www.opera.com/mobile/ Opera Mini] | ||
| − | * [http://www.google.com/chrome Google Chrome] and [http://www.chromium.org/Home Chromium Home (owned by Google)] | + | * [http://www.google.com/chrome Google Chrome] and [http://www.chromium.org/Home Chromium Home (owned by Google)]--> |
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[[Category:Internet]] | [[Category:Internet]] | ||
[[Category:Software]] | [[Category:Software]] | ||
Revision as of 06:08, December 26, 2017
A web browser is a computer program which downloads and displays web pages on the World Wide Web (or a local device). Its main purpose is to load and display graphical pages on the internet. The original internet browser was NCSA Mosaic.[1] Before long, however, Netscape[2] and AOL became most popular, while NCSA Mosaic became obsolete.
There are five major web browsers currently in use; Internet Explorer (replaced by Edge), Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Chromium-based browsers, including Google Chrome. IE currently holds the largest "market share" in desktop browsing but this is being eroded by mobile phone and tablet browsers from Apple and Google. The independent browsers Opera and Firefox are well positioned and compete across multiple platforms.
Other browsers are carving niches such as Dolphin for Android phones or Pale Moon for Atom processors. Microsoft has introduced a new browser with Windows 10 to replace IE, called Edge.