5.1.4 | THE INTERNET

 Topics from the Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) Computer Science 0984 syllabus 2023 - 2025

OBJECTIVES
5.4 Explain the purpose and functions of a web browser
• The main purpose of a web browser is to render hypertext markup language (HTML) and display web pages
• Functions include:
– storing bookmarks and favourites
– recording user history
– allowing use of multiple tabs
– storing cookies
– providing navigation tools
– providing an address bar

ALSO IN THIS TOPIC
 5.1.1 - 5.1.3 THE INTERNET AND THE WWW
 YOU ARE HERE | 5.1.4 WEB BROWSERS
5.1.5 WEB PROTOCOLS
5.1.6 COOKIES AND SESSIONS
5.2.1 - 5.2.2 DIGITAL CURRENCY
 5.3.1 CYBER SECURITY
5.3.2 KEEPING DATA SAFE
TOPIC 5 REVISION CARDS
TOPIC 5 KEY TERMINOLOGY (CIE)
TOPIC 5 ANSWERS
TOPIC 5 TEACHER RESOURCES

SECTION 1 | THE WEB BROWSER

A web browser is a software application that allows users to access and view web pages on the internet. The main purpose of a web browser is to render hypertext markup language (HTML) and display web pages to the user. HTML is the standard markup language used to create web pages, and web browsers interpret and render this language to display the content of a webpage.

In addition to displaying web pages, web browsers also provide several functions to enhance the user's browsing experience, including:

• Storing bookmarks and favourites: Web browsers allow users to save links to their favourite websites for easy access. These bookmarks can be organized and saved for future use.
• Recording user history: Web browsers keep a record of the websites that users visit, allowing them to quickly access their browsing history.
• Allowing use of multiple tabs: Web browsers enable users to open multiple web pages simultaneously, each in its own tab. This feature makes it easy to switch between different web pages and work on multiple tasks at once.
• Storing cookies: Web browsers store small files called cookies on the user's computer, which contain information about the user's browsing activity. Cookies are used to remember login information, shopping cart contents, and other user preferences.
• Providing navigation tools: Web browsers provide navigation tools such as back and forward buttons, a home button, and a refresh button to help users navigate through web pages.
• Providing an address bar: Web browsers have an address bar where users can enter the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a web page they want to visit. The browser then retrieves the web page and displays it to the user.

A web browser is a software application that allows users to view web pages on the internet. In addition to displaying web pages, web browsers provide several functions to enhance the user's browsing experience, including storing bookmarks and favourites, recording user history, allowing use of multiple tabs, storing cookies, providing navigation tools, and providing an address bar.

ALSO IN THIS TOPIC

5.1.1 - 5.1.3 THE INTERNET AND THE WWW
5.1.4 WEB BROWSERS
5.1.5 WEB PROTOCOLS
5.1.6 COOKIES AND SESSIONS
5.2.1 - 5.2.2 DIGITAL CURRENCY
5.3.1 CYBER SECURITY
5.3.2 KEEPING DATA SAFE
TOPIC 5 REVISION CARDS
TOPIC 5 KEY TERMINOLOGY (CIE)
TOPIC 5 ANSWERS
TOPIC 5 TEACHER RESOURCES