Tech Glossary
Browser Compatibility
Browser compatibility refers to the ability of a website or web application to function properly across different web browsers, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. Since different browsers can interpret HTML, CSS, and JavaScript differently, ensuring compatibility across browsers is essential for providing a consistent user experience.
Web developers use various tools and techniques to test and ensure that their websites render correctly and function as expected across multiple browsers and devices. This involves addressing differences in browser engines, handling deprecated features, and using fallback methods for older browsers that may not support modern web technologies.
Achieving browser compatibility ensures that a website remains accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of the browser they use. This is particularly important in a world where users access websites from a variety of devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, each with its own preferred browser.
Failure to ensure browser compatibility can lead to poor user experience, broken functionality, and loss of customers, making it a critical aspect of web development.