Term: "Web Browser"
Definition
A web browser is a software application designed to retrieve, present, and navigate information resources on the World Wide Web. When a user inputs a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or clicks on a hyperlink, the web browser sends a request to the corresponding web server, retrieves the necessary data, and then displays the webpage on the user's device. This process involves interpreting and rendering HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) code, as well as executing scripts, displaying images, and playing multimedia content.
Modern web browsers offer a wide range of functionalities beyond basic webpage viewing, including tabbed browsing, bookmarks, privacy modes, extensions, and integrated search engines. They also provide security features like phishing and malware protection, secure connections through HTTPS, and privacy controls.
Popular web browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Opera, each with its own set of features, performance characteristics, and user interfaces. The choice of browser can significantly affect the user's experience of the web, including speed, compatibility with websites, and available extensions or add-ons for customized functionality.