If you have ever wondered why the Navigator object in Javascript returns "Mozilla" as the appCodeName property, you're not alone. This seemingly curious choice has a historical explanation that sheds light on how web browsers evolved over time.
Back in the early days of the internet, Netscape Navigator was one of the pioneering web browsers that played a significant role in shaping the world wide web as we know it today. When Netscape Navigator was first developed, the developers chose "Mozilla" as a code name for the browser project. The appCodeName property of the Navigator object still returns "Mozilla" as a homage to Netscape Navigator's legacy.
The appCodeName property is a useful piece of information that helps identify the browser being used by a visitor to a website. When you access a website and check the navigator.appCodeName property in the browser console, you will see "Mozilla" returned for most modern browsers. This is because browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all tend to use this property to ensure compatibility with legacy web content.
While you might expect the appCodeName property to directly reflect the name of the browser you are using, it actually reflects the historical origins of the browser engine. This can be a bit confusing at first, especially if you are new to web development, but understanding this historical context can help you make sense of the quirks and idiosyncrasies of web browsers.
If you are working on a web development project and need to differentiate between different browsers for compatibility purposes, you can use the navigator.appCodeName property along with other properties in the Navigator object to accurately detect the browser being used. This is particularly important when you need to implement specific code optimizations or workarounds for different browsers.
In conclusion, the reason why the Navigator object's appCodeName property returns "Mozilla" is rooted in the history of web browsers, specifically in the legacy of Netscape Navigator. While it may be surprising at first glance, knowing this background information can help you better understand the inner workings of web browsers and make informed decisions when developing websites and web applications.
Next time you come across "Mozilla" as the value of the appCodeName property in your code, remember the rich history behind it and appreciate how far web technology has come since the early days of Netscape Navigator.