BrowserStandards

BrowserStandards refers to the body of specifications, guidelines, and tests that define how web browsers should implement the web platform. It covers core technologies such as HTML for structure, CSS for presentation, and the Document Object Model and JavaScript APIs that enable interactivity. Browser standards also address accessibility, security, privacy, and performance interfaces that browsers expose to developers and users. The goal is interoperability, ensuring that content behaves consistently across different browsers and devices.

The main governance bodies are the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and the WHATWG, which collaborate on living standards for the web platform. HTML, CSS, the DOM, and many Web APIs are defined or stewarded by these organizations. Standards are produced through drafts, public reviews, and conformance tests. Living standards are updated continuously as new features are implemented by browser vendors and as user needs evolve.

Browser standards cover a wide range of topics, including HTML and CSS specifications, the JavaScript language and Web APIs, the DOM, and security and privacy policies such as same-origin policy, Content Security Policy, and sandboxing. They also encompass accessibility interfaces (ARIA), internationalization, and performance guidelines. Implementations are evaluated with tests and interoperability checks across major engines like Blink, Gecko, and WebKit.

For developers, adherence to browser standards promotes cross-browser compatibility. Common practices include feature detection, progressive enhancement, graceful degradation, and using polyfills or transpilers where necessary. As standards evolve, browsers may deprecate or remove outdated features, making ongoing testing essential.