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A Comparative Performance Analysis of Popular Browsers in Current Web Applications

Boukari Souley, Amina S. Sambo Mathematical Sciences Programme, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University(ATBU), Bauchi, Nigeria [email protected] +2348069667696 +2348033512019

Abstract As more and more services become available on the Internet, the issue of fast and secured access to online resources gains more importance. The growth of the internet has encouraged a high number of people to explore and take advantage of the (www). The window to the World Wide Web is a , hence the development of various web browsers in the market today. A comparative study of four web browsers namely , , and was carried out. A developed and fully tested was used to evaluate the performance of the four browsers. The results revealed that Mozilla Firefox and Netscape perform best in down load time, Internet Explorer performs best in memory usage, privacy and security, Mozilla Firefox and Netscape performs best in Page Layout, and Opera performs best in speed and performance.

Key words: World Wide Web, Internet Browser, W3C, APIs, Milnet

Introduction Examples of web browsers include The World Wide Web (WWW) is one of , Mozilla Firefox, the most accessible parts of the Internet. Its Internet Explorer, Opera, , Enigma and ease of use allows people to perform tasks so on. For browser compatibility, there are quickly and easily. But the creation of basic ways one can make a , banking, search engines, extensible in order to add new browser corporate and other personal support later. services leads many users to pass In developing web applications, information that should be kept private in an consideration must be given to possible environment to which potentially everyone browser differences; hence the developer could have access. Web browsers attempt to should be informed about them. Following present to user the best presentation they can those guidelines not only allow your web offer and other options to facilitate better applications to work in other browsers, but services on the web. Similarly, browsers also on other platforms. also attempt to notify the user when Web browsers are now an essential part of applications are downloaded and try to our daily lives. Many people use them to execute on the user’s machine. However, the access email, perform research, buy result of various browsers based on some products and do other errands. Because web useful characteristics differs. browsers are used for so many tasks, there Though do exist, different are built in functions to perform those tasks browsers behave differently (in fact, the as well as to protect users from malicious same browser may behave differently content on the World Wide Web. depending on the platform). Many browsers, Generally, browsers react and display such as Internet Explorer, also support pre information differently and cross browser W3C APIs and have never added extensive compatibility should be considered during support for the W3Ccompliant ones[11]. . The World Wide Web contains

millions of web pages with a variety of two parts. MILNET, which catered for different types of content. military sites only, and a new smaller The lack of awareness of available web ARPANET for nonmilitary sites. Around browser and their characteristics, discourages 1980, the American National Sciences many Nigerians from having access and Foundation (NSF) decided to create five enjoy faster access to vast mount of free supercomputing centers for research use. information available on the internet. The NSF created its own network NSFNET. A high volume of commercial activities By, 1990 almost all ARPANET traffic had occur on the internet not to mention free been moved to NSFNET. In 1994, several online resources that will enable research large, commercial networks had been created and empowering us with knowledge. within what is now called the internet. Internet access and awareness are currently These networks grew beyond the borders of available in most part of Nigeria. Though the United State and are today connected to bandwidth is restricted, Surfers should be almost all countries of the world. Other aware of the browser options they have and networks in other countries also linked up to select them based on their most important create the internet, as it is known today [2]. criteria. In [3] internet is defined as a sprawling For developers, the availability of a tool collection of computer networks that span that performs the comparison helps to speed the globe, connecting government, military up the development time, assists them to educational and commercial institutions, as become aware of the short comings, features well as private citizens to a wide range of and capabilities of each of the four web computer services, resources and browsers. This reduces the time it takes to information. A set of network conventions track down bugs in the web applications and common tools are employed to give the hence improves development time and appearance of a single large network even application performance. though the computers that are linked together This study of web browsers becomes use many different hardware and software imperative to help serve as a educational and platforms. decision making tool for users. This study A non technical definition of the internet exploits on and explains the web browser as seen by an average internet user would be, characteristics of four web browsers from the “A virtual world assessed through computers various available web browsers. and other devices. This virtual world modeled after the real world. This world Related Work now informally called ‘cyberspace’, has been Brief evolving over the years and has continued to The internet started as a project called the evolve.. Advanced Research Projects Administration Network (ARPANET). It was meant to be Internet Services. both, an experiment in reliable networking The internet offers many services to its and to link the American Department of users. The most popular services include E Defense (DOD) with military contractors mail, World Wide Web (WWW) and File and universities doing military funded Transfer protocol (FTP). Other less popular research. It was launched in 1969 and services offer access to other types of started connecting three supercomputers in internet resources. These include , , U.S.A and one in Utah, USA. Finger and so on. The success of ARPANET caused many universities to desire to be connected to the EMail network [1] Email is the most popular internet service This caused its growth and eventually it and it provides reliable means of became hard to manage. It then split into worldwide. It consists of

information, usually text that is The features of Mozilla Firefox electronically transferred over telephone distinguish it from other web browsers such lines, fiber optic cables and satellite , as Internet Explorer, and are subject to both from a single sender to one or more rave reviews and harsh criticisms. It lacks recipients. Two pieces of information are many features found in other browsers, in an needed to send email messages over the effort to combat interface bloat and to allow internet the recipients’ user identification the browser to be shipped as a small, pared and the computer name to which the mail is down core easily customizable to meet to be sent. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol individual users' needs. Instead of providing (SMTP) and (POP) are all features in the standard distribution, used to standardize the transmission format Mozilla Firefox relies on the extension [7]. system to allow users to modify the browser according to their requirements. (FTP): This is a means of accessing files on a Internet Explorer: Internet Explorer (IE) is remote computer system, also called an ftp the popular Web browser created and site. These files are stored in a tree like distributed by . IE was first structures of directories. A connection is released in 1995, and IE has been the most established with the computer system, the popular Web browser since 1999 [6]. desired files are located and copied or Internet Explorer has been designed to downloaded onto the Users’ hard disk. This view the broadest range of web pages allows information to be populated to the without major problems. During the heydays internet [9]. of the historic , Internet Explorer embraced Netscape by supporting World Wide Web: many of the progressive features of the time. The WWW is the fastest growing For a long period after the introduction of internet service and it is treated as the future version six, there was no further of internet navigational tools. It is a development on the browser. Major multimedia and system that allows development on the browser restarted in pictures, video clips and sound to be 2004 for Windows XP SP2 and continues in included in text pages. The pages also have IE7 [4]. links to other pages that are displayed when the links are selected using a pointing device : Netscape Browser is the or keyboard. The WWW consists of name of a proprietary Windows web browser documents called web pages and a collection published by American Online, but of web pages on a particular subject matter developed by Mercurial . It stored on a single system from a . is a continuation in name of the Netscape The WWW uses the Hypertext Transfer series of browsers, originally produced by Protocol (HTTP) to transmit web pages. the defunct Netscape Communications Documents are viewed using software Corporation[10]. applications called web browsers[5]. While Netscape Browser's version numbers start at 8, it is based on Mozilla Internet Browser and Characteristics Firefox, whereas and 7 were Mozilla Firefox : Mozilla Firefox based on Mozilla Application Suite, itself a (originally known as "Phoenix" and briefly complete of the codebase developed as "Mozilla Firebird") is a free, cross in versions 1 through 4 Netscape platform, graphical web browser developed Navigator and . As by the and hundreds of with other recent versions, it incorporates volunteers. support for AOL Instant Messenger, and other AOLrelated features [3].

Perhaps the most noteworthy feature Methodology introduced in Netscape Browser is the ability To successfully carry out an analytical to use either of two layout engines to render comparison on these major web browsers, websites — either Internet Explorer's three major points have to be brought into or the engine used by Mozilla and its consideration, namely Performance, derivatives. This is used as part of the Usability and Security browser's "Site Controls" system, which Putting into consideration these three allows security settings to be altered on a points, the comparison will be based on the persite basis, and is also touted as a defense following Criteria. against and similar attacks, with • Download time: How long it takes to both blacklists and white lists built in and load a automatically updated regularly. This system • Memory usage: The amount of decides whether a site is "trusted" or memory each web browsers use "suspect", while only white listed sites use • Page Layout/Image Display: How the Trident engine by default [8]. each handle / displays a web page Other features highlighted by AOL's • Accessibility: How each complies to publicity include improved tabbed browsing the international accessibility capabilities, a toolbar system called the Standards "MultiBar," which includes up to ten • Privacy and Security1 toolbars in the space of one, and extra • Speed And Performance: These support for "Live Content", such as RSS includes: feeds. In keeping with the security emphasis, o Rendering Cascading Style a new secure form information and password Sheet (CSS) management system, known as a "PassCard," o Rendering table which saves usernames and passwords for o Script speedEase of Setup: individual sites, is also included[11]. How easy it is to install on a users computer Opera: Opera is a crossplatform web Another step is determining what others browser and which handles tried doing to get around the issue of common internetrelated tasks including unusable user interfaces. Studies of existing visiting web sites, sending and receiving e browser reveal that while the user may really mail messages, managing contacts, chatting want to use the most popular internet online and displaying Widgets. Opera's browser other browsers have better features lightweight browser but lack of awareness is restricting them[9]. and most current versions of its desktop A website that will allow for the application are offered free of charge[12]. comparison to be carried out was designed Opera is developed using the concept of web portal, JavaScript by Opera Software based in Oslo, Norway. It and Dreamweaver as the runs on a variety of operating systems development tool and HTML for the front including many versions of Microsoft end . Windows, Mac OS X, , FreeBSD and Solaris. It is also used in mobile phones, Download Time , Personal Digital Assistants, To make a proper comparison between game consoles and interactive televisions. both browers of how long it takes to Technology from Opera is also licensed by download a specified web page. other companies for use in such products as [4].

Memory Usage 2. Determine to what extent each web To effectively compare how much Browser implements each. memory each web browser uses could cover two aspects. Privacy and Security a. How much memory is used when This would be to determine how secure multiple windows are opened each web browser is. To achieve this, a web b. How much memory is used when page would be created that contains the multiple tabs are opened following elements. To achieve each, the windows task manager would be used. The Task Manager calculates a. Applets, Scripts and ActiveX Object and displays how much memory each b. A link to download an external document currently running applications is consuming. . A link to execute an external program.

Page Layout / Image Display The essence of this test is to see how each To achieve this test, a web page is created of these web browsers secures the users from that contains common HTML elements that external third party programs from running are common to websites. The web page on the host system. would also contain all the various image file formats in the industry today. This page is Speed and Performance now viewed using the various web browsers The goal of this test is to determine how and a comparison is made against each other. fast each of these web browses handles and executes various programs or instructions. The key points here would be: The test would be carried out on individual a. How each layout and displays the web web browser premises. page b. How each is able to handle, support and 1. Rendering Cascading Style Sheets display the various image file formats in (CSS) the industry today. CSS which stands for Cascading Style The results are compared and analysis made Sheets, is the technology that make web based on the outcome. pages look the way they look. It is a set of instructions given to a web browser to tell it Accessibility how the web page is to be displayed, e.g. means that people with colors, font sizes, backgrounds etc. disabilities can perceive, understand, The essence of this test is to find out how navigate, and interact with the Web, and that effectively the web browser executes sets of they can contribute to the Web. Web this instruction within each web browser[12] accessibility also benefits others, including older people with changing abilities due to Rendering table and Script Speed aging[8] Tables are a common feature in most web pages. This test procedure is similar to the This section would be based on already earlier mentioned process. We load a web concluded test carried out by international page that contains lots of table elements and communities that major on accessibility determine how well and how long it takes issue. The objective here is to determine to each web browser to render the tables, then what extent each web browser implements we compare results. the accessibility standards set by the This test would determine the length of international community. time it take for each web browser to The process would be as follows: successfully complete the execution of a 1. List out the major associability standards certain set(s) of commands. Scripts are a set by the international community vital part of the functionality and

interactivity of many web pages. The essence Results and Findings of this test is to see how reliable each web A web browser analysis tool was browsers in the execution of scripts. designed, fully implemented and tested to enable users make informed decisions about Ease Of Setup the use, installation and recommendation of This test would require the installation of the major web browsers considered in work. each of the web browsers in questions and The tool was designed and implemented determine how difficult or easy it was to using industry standard technologies such as: successfully install the software on the user’s 1. JavaScript Scripting Language machine. 2. Hypertext Markup language (HTML) Results can be taken from already carried 3. (DOM) out studies to save the user (supervisor) the 4. Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) hassles of having to uninstall and reinstall The major Criteria used for comparison are: the web browser. Download Time,Memory Usage, Page/Image Layout, Accessibility, Privacy and Security, Speed and Performance

Run Tests. (1 each) Points(1 Table 1: Scoring and Rating each) Graphics 4 Points Test Score Test Score (1 each) Browser 5 Points ActiveXObject 1 Point Card 5 Points Info Layout CSS 1 3 points Executable 1 Point (1 each) CSS 2 4 points Download 1 Point (1 each) CSS 3 2 Points Accessibility 3

The RunTests first set the result display area (eight) other functions (TryCatch fucntion, to a default value of 0 (Zero), it then Layer Movement, Random number engine, proceeds to call 8 Math Engine, Dom Speed, Array Functions, String Function, Declaration)

Results After testing on the various platforms, the Results obtained were summarized in Table 2 below:

Table 2: Result of each browser based on the criteria

Internet Explorer Mozilla Firefox Opera Netscape

Download 17 seconds 4 seconds 15 seconds 4 seconds Time Memory 6kb 523kb 726kb 233kb Usage Page Layout 12 points 16 points 15 points 16 points Privacy / 3 points 2 points 2 points 2 points Security Accessibility 1 point 3 points 3 points 3 points Speed And CSS – 80 ms CSS – 241 ms CSS – 60 ms CSS – 150 ms Performance SCRIPT – 3876ms SCRIPT – 4917 MS SCRIPT – 2233 ms SCRIPT – 0 (*)

Discussion by Internet Explorer. Mozilla Firefox and Based on the results in the test run as Netscape, performed slower. shown in Table 2 above, the following 2. Script Speed Test: Opera also, in observations have been made: this test, performed better in executing the Download Time: Internet Explorer performs various JavaScript commands that where best, followed by Opera, Netscape and sent to the scripting engine. It is followed by Mozilla Firefox presents the same Internet Explorer in performance then performance. Mozilla Firefox. Netscape could not Memory Usage: Opera uses the highest successfully execute the process, hence amount of memory available to the system, failed in the test. followed by Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, in this test preformed best in the Conclusion utilization of memory A study of four internet browsers was Page Layout: Mozilla Mozilla Firefox carried out. A portal was designed that preformed best in the presentation and serves as a decision or intelligent tool for implementation of graphics and CSS style analyzing different web browsers. definitions followed by Netscape, then Depending on the browser on your system, Opera. Internet Explorer performed the least the capacity of the system in terms of in this tests. memory, speed and brand, results will be Privacy and Security: Internet Explorer obtained for the criteria of comparison of gave the highest notification alerts to third browsers. This intelligent decision analysis party activities within the web browser. tool will enlighten people on browser Others performed the same. technology, possibility and finally will Accessibility: All the web browsers tested enable people to know which web browsers performed equally on this test except for to use based on their various purposes. Internet Explorer, scoring only a point. From the test results of the four internet Speed and Performance: The speed test was browsers, a researcher would find internet carried out on two premises. explorer best because of its speed of download and security feature while a 1. CSS Speed Test: In this category, graphic will find Mozilla Opera showed a higher performance in Firefox more favorable because of its high executing CSS definitions, followed closely performance of page layout. . ______References [1] Vigil,B. (2002), Tech Target Security Media website. www.searchsecurity.techtarget.com [2] Oppliger, R., (2000) Security Technologies for the World Wide Web. Artech House, Boston [3] Raskin, J. (2000) The Humane Interface: New Directions for Designing Interactive Systems. Addison Wesley Longman, Inc, London [4]. Tiwana, A..(1999) Web Security. Digital Press, Boston. [5] Brian B.. (2004)Browser Showdown Mozilla Firefox vs. Internet Explorer [6]. Rankin, (1997) Web browsers Addison Wesley Longman, Inc, London [7] http://www.agnitum.com/news/securityinsight/december2005issue. [8] http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/PublicWebsite [9] http://www.aadmm.de/en/month.htm [10] http://www.agnitum.com/news/securityinsight/december2005issue.php [11] http://www.uscert.gov/cas/tips [12] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_web_browsers