Web Browser

Last Updated : 28 Apr, 2026

Application software that allows users to access, search, and view information on the World Wide Web by communicating with web servers is known as a web browser. It enables smooth navigation of websites by retrieving and displaying online content in an interactive format.

  • Displays web pages with text, images, videos, and links in a user-friendly manner
  • Sends and receives data using HTTP/HTTPS protocols to load websites securely
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History

The first web browser, World Wide Web (later renamed Nexus), was created by Tim Berners-Lee in 1990. In 1993, Mosaic introduced graphical browsing, followed by Netscape in 1994 and Internet Explorer in 1995. Later, modern browsers like Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Opera emerged with advanced features.

Note: For more details, refer to this article on History of Web Browsers.

Working of a Web Browser

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  • The user enters a website URL into the browser.
  • The browser contacts a DNS (Domain Name System) server to convert the domain name into an IP address.
  • Using the IP address, the browser sends a request to the web server .
  • The server responds with web content such as HTML, CSS, images and scripts.
  • The browser processes and renders this content into a readable webpage.

Website Cookies

Small text files stored by a web browser to save information about a user’s activity and preferences on a website are cookies

  • Enhances user experience by remembering preferences and login sessions
  • Enables personalization by tracking browsing behavior
  • Supports targeted advertising by storing user interests

Note: For more details refer to this article on cookies here.

Core Architecture of Web Browser

  • The User Interface sends the user’s request to the Browser Engine , which manages the browsing process.
  • The Rendering Engine displays the webpage by interpreting HTML, CSS, and executing JavaScript for interactivity.
  • Networking and UI Backend work together to fetch data from the internet and render visual elements on the screen.
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Web Browser Architecture
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Different Browsers

1. Google Chrome :Developed by Google, Chrome is one of the most widely-used web browsers in the world, known for its speed and simplicity.

2. Microsoft Edge : Developed by Microsoft, Edge is the default browser on Windows 10 and is known for its integration with other Microsoft products and services.

3. Apple Safari :Developed by Apple, Safari is the default browser on Mac and iOS devices and is known for its speed and integration with other Apple products.

4. Comet Browser ( Perplexity) : A lightweight and fast web browser focused on simple, distraction-free browsing with basic privacy and performance features.

5. ChatGPT Atlas : It is an AI-powered browser assistant that helps users search, understand, and interact with web content more efficiently.

6. Brave :Developed by Brave Software, Brave is a web browser that is focused on privacy and security and blocks third-party ads and trackers by default.

7. Opera:Developed by Opera Software, Opera is a web browser that is known for its speed and built-in VPN feature.

Note: These are some of the most popular web browsers, there are other browsers available such as Vivaldi, Waterfox, and so on. The choice of a web browser depends on the user's preference and requirements. To know more about individual browsers please go through our Browser – A Complete Overview

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