Different web browsers display websites differently due to browser compatibility, which is the ability to interpret HTML. Web designers must code for maximum compatibility with popular browsers. Older browsers may not understand new code, and disabling scripting languages reduces compatibility. Keeping two browsers installed can solve compatibility issues. The same browser may render pages differently on different platforms. Webmasters should design for maximum browser compatibility.
If you’ve tried using different web browsers to navigate to your favorite online hangouts, you’ve probably noticed that the same sites look a little different depending on which browser you’re using. This is because page view varies based on browser compatibility.
Browser compatibility is the web browser’s ability to correctly interpret the hypertext markup language (HTML) that renders web pages. HTML is a coding language that is “understood” slightly differently by each web browser Most sites are designed to look fine in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, because it’s believed to be the most popular browser. However, if you’re a Web designer, your job is to code a site for maximum compatibility so that pages also look correct in other popular browsers, such as FireFox, Netscape, Opera, and text-based browsers.
Browser compatibility creates potential headaches for webmasters. Because popular new scripting languages create flashy web pages, older browsers may not understand the new code. For security reasons, many people disable scripting languages in their web browsers, reducing compatibility. If the webmaster was thorough, there should be a way to navigate site content without flash and bang. Unfortunately, this is often not the case, and a browser with disabled scripts or cookies may not be able to access the site at all.
To solve this problem, many surfers keep two web browsers installed: their favorite browser and Internet Explorer. If browser compatibility becomes an issue in FireFox or Opera, for example, simply open Internet Explorer to try out the site. Internet Explorer can be configured to allow scripts that the browser usually does not allow. If it’s a trusted site, opening your Microsoft browser to browse the site is a quick and easier fix than reconfiguring your main browser over and over again.
Aside from the difference in browsers, another factor that plays into browser compatibility is whether the browser uses a standard PC and a Windows, Linux, or Mac computer. The same browser will render pages slightly differently on each of these platforms. If you hire a webmaster to design your site, you may ask how efficient they are at designing a site for maximum browser compatibility. While many hardened surfers keep two browsers loaded and switch between them, it’s probably safe to assume that most people just click on a site with poor browser compatibility.
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