Netscape 6, Part I: Detection and Scripting

In this column we'll introduce the new Netscape 6. This is a significant milestone in the history of browser development, as it is based on open standards, and on software modules that are being developed by everyone who wants to get involved. In the long run, Netscape 6 may draw other browsers to follow the W3C standards more rigorously, and we'll all benefit from it. In the short run, though, we all need to modify our Web sites to support the new browser. Instead of two major browsers we got used to (Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator), we need to account for the new kid on the block, Netscape 6. At least until Netscape Navigator fully retires, which may take a year or so.

Notice that Netscape opted to drop Navigator from the new browser name. When we refer in our columns to Netscape Navigator, we mean Netscape Navigator 4.x. Obviously, Netscape positions Netscape 6 as two generations above Netscape Navigator, and one generation above Internet Explorer 5.x

In this column we'll get you started on how to support Netscape 6. We'll first explain some related buzzwords such as Mozilla and Gecko. We'll teach you how to detect Netscape 6, and how to write browser-independently. Then, we'll show you which Netscape Navigator features and which Internet Explorer features are not supported by Netscape 6. We'll outline which constructs to avoid when starting a new programming project.

In this column, you will learn:

• How to distinguish between Mozilla and Gecko
• How to detect Netscape 6
• How to write three-way browser-independent code
• How to avoid Netscape Navigator proprietary features
• How to avoid Internet Explorer proprietary features

Next: How to distinguish between Mozilla and Gecko