How Does get_browser() Work?

[fusilli_jerry89]

Hi,

 

I am just wondering how the get_browser() function works? How does it know whether firefox, or internet explorer, or telnet is being used?

[Mchl]

http://php.net/manual/en/function.get-browser.php

[fusilli_jerry89]

Thank you, but I was actually wondering if someone could explain the browscap.ini file. Does a server just compare the information stored in its browscap.ini file with the information that the browser is sending to the server in its request packets? Is this information reliable? Like, couldn't a telnet connection send firefox-like information and trick the server into thinking it's firefox instead of telnet?

[MadTechie]

The browser sends the "HTTP_USER_AGENT" data, PHP uses that data to look up more info, and as the server relies on the client sending that data, it can be spoofed,

So everything refers on $_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'], the browscap.ini is just extending info (a lookup from the reference if you will)

[fusilli_jerry89]

The browser sends the "HTTP_USER_AGENT" data, PHP uses that data to look up more info, and as the server relies on the client sending that data, it can be spoofed,

So everything refers on $_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'], the browscap.ini is just extending info (a lookup from the reference if you will)

 

Thank you. I'll chew on that .