Tips for Detecting Web Browsers

One way to customize your web pages to specific web browsers is to somehow detect what web browser the person is using, then display text specifically formatted for that web browser. Whenever possible this should be avoided. You should be able to use normal HTML techniques to make pages that are usable on all browsers.

The two main methods for detecting browsers are using Extended Server Side Includes, or Javascript. The links take you to courses on these topics.

Detecting web browsers using Extended Server Side Includes
Javascript can use the variable "navigator.appName" to get the name of the browser, and the variable "navigator.appVersion" to get the version number of the browser. See your javascript manuals for more details.

Please send comments about this course to Kevin.Lowey@Usask.CA