Käyttäjäagentti

Käyttäjäagentti, often translated as user agent, is a software agent that acts on behalf of a user. It can be a web browser, a search engine crawler, a bot, or any other program that accesses resources like websites or APIs. The user agent typically identifies itself to the server it is communicating with by sending a user-agent string. This string contains information about the software, its version, and the operating system it is running on. Servers can use this information to tailor their responses, for example, by sending a mobile-optimized version of a webpage to a mobile browser. In the context of web browsing, the user agent string is crucial for web developers to understand how their website is being accessed and to ensure compatibility across different browsers and devices. Search engine crawlers, also known as bots, use user agents to identify themselves to websites. This allows website administrators to control which parts of their site bots can access, typically through a robots.txt file. The concept of a user agent is fundamental to the functioning of the internet and many other digital services, enabling personalized experiences and efficient resource management.