Javascript Browser Sniffer

[trpost]

I am looking for a script using javascript to pull browser information
including, browser type and version, OS info, plugins (flash, acrobat,
media player, etc), java version, etc. that will work on IE/Firefox. I
am looking for detalis similar to what is available at:
http://www.webreference.com/tools/browser/_browserhawk.html

Thanks!

 

[Thomas 'PointedEars' Lahn]

I am looking for a script using javascript to pull browser information
including, browser type and version, OS info, plugins (flash, acrobat,
media player, etc), java version, etc. that will work on IE/Firefox. I
am looking for detalis similar to what is available at:
http://www.webreference.com/tools/browser/_browserhawk.html

Please read <URL:http://pointedears.de/scripts/test/whatami>, then answer
this question: Why?


PointedEars

 

[Richard Cornford]

I am looking for a script using javascript to pull browser
information including, browser type and version, OS info,
plugins (flash, acrobat, media player, etc), java version,
etc. that will work on IE/Firefox. I am looking for detalis
similar to what is available at:
http://www.webreference.com/tools/browser/_browserhawk.html

You mean you want inaccurate information based upon false assumptions
and superficial testing? You don't need a script for that, just assume
that all browsers are IE running on Windows and have flash, acrobat and
media player installed and you won't be wrong significantly more often
than you example.

Richard.

 

[Gérard Talbot]

I am looking for a script using javascript to pull browser information
including, browser type and version, OS info, plugins (flash, acrobat,
media player, etc), java version, etc. that will work on IE/Firefox. I
am looking for detalis similar to what is available at:
http://www.webreference.com/tools/browser/_browserhawk.html

Thanks!

I'd be very surprised if you would need so many info to begin with. In
99% of the time, a web author with an avg. or even big website only
needs to detect object feature support and/or object capability support
for his scripts. That approach is more reliable, useful and future-proof.

References:

Object detection:
http://developer.apple.com/internet/webcontent/objectdetection.html

Browser detection (and what to do instead)
http://www.jibbering.com/faq/faq_notes/not_browser_detect.html

Comp.lang.javascript FAQ
4.26 How do I detect Opera/Netscape/IE?
http://jibbering.com/faq/#FAQ4_26


Developing Cross Browser/Cross Platform Pages
* Browser identification approach (aka "browser sniffing"): not best,
not reliable approach
* Using Object/Feature detection approach: best and overall most reliable
http://www.mozilla.org/docs/web-developer/upgrade_2.html#DevCrossBrowser

For detection of flash, acrobat, media player, java version, the object
feature detection support is still the correct approach.

Gérard

 

[VK]

I am looking for a script using javascript to pull browser information
including, browser type and version, OS info, plugins (flash, acrobat,
media player, etc), java version, etc. that will work on IE/Firefox. I
am looking for detalis similar to what is available at:
http://www.webreference.com/tools/browser/_browserhawk.html

Oh, BrowserHawk - that's an old buddy

A good part of sniffing is made by studying window, window.screen
(where supported) window.navigator and window.plugins (or
document.plugins ? - you better check).

You just write a script to iterate through - and be aware that some
objects/properties will not be equally presented on all UA's; so
"property/object missing" fall back is required.
<http://www.jibbering.com/faq/#FAQ3_2> will give you some materials for
comparison tables.

But it is only half way: what really gives to BrowserHawk its not so
low value is their UA strings database they support and update since
1998. Grace to it they are able to extract much more info from UA
string - unless of course it is spoofed.

That is an old lasting "tradition" to have UA's string syntax close to
inscription on the wall in the subway men's room A lot of info, but
to extract all of it one needs a sophisticated AI - or a huge database
to match the record.

My beloved one remains the mark in the old AOL packages (v.1 - v.5). In
their browser version the string ended up with "DigitallyExt". I still
think that by its hidden expressive power it stays in one row (if not
above) with the "Trespassers W" in front of Piglet's house.

I mean - is it nice to know how many AOL users do you have? Sometimes
it may be nice. But what chance to discover the string pattern without
a database?