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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Projects To Watch Out For: Ladybird Browser (ladybird.org)

submitted 3 months ago by BaumGeist@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml

206 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Finally, another web engine is being developed to compete with Chromium and Firefox (Gecko), and they're also working on a browser that will use it.

Here's the maintainer talking about the current state of the project, and a demo of the current functionality

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[–] geolaw@lemmygrad.ml 6 points 3 months ago (5 children)

I feel like this is a dumb question but why do web engines need constant development? I thought we had an established standard for HTML. Once a web engine matches that standard isn't that sufficient?

[–] urfavlaura@lemmy.ml 10 points 3 months ago

some reasons that I can think of:

performance improvements (e.g. JIT)
new standards (e.g. WASM)
vulnerabities
new features (e.g. web engines weren't always sandboxed)

[–] utopiah@lemmy.ml 4 points 3 months ago

Some of the new features most people aren't aware of us that I used recently :

WebXR, make a Web page immersive and work in the browser of VR/AR headsets, e.g Meta Quest, Lynx XR1, Apple Vision Pro, etc
WebBlueTooth, connect to a BT device, e.g a Lego controller in order to move actuator, data from sensors, etc
WebUSB, connect a device and update its firmware, e.g SmartWatch, mechanical keyboard, etc
GamePad API, use a gamepad or joystick to play from a browser window
Realms in JavaScript for "better" sandboxing, it's a relatively new feature of the language so the engine must be updated

So... sure none of that really helps to read a 2D Web page (like this one on Lemmy) but they pretty much all help to achieve better cross-platform support. By using the Web rather than native to connect to hardware then it is instantly delivered without having any OS specific driver to build and install. Practically speaking it does make the browser increasingly complex but IMHO it is worth it.

PS: I probably also used some modern CSS so there also the engine (which is ridiculously complex by the way) has to be updated too.

[–] Bitrot@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

HTML used to be a pretty set standard, maintained by the W3C. HTML5 was retired in 2018 (5.2 in 2021). Now it is a Living Standard that changes often and is maintained by a consortium of browser vendors.

It is also not the only technology being changed.

[–] cyclohexane@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 months ago

There are features that constantly get added. It's not only HTML (maybe the html part is stable, I don't know), but there's CSS and most importantly JavaScript.

Also, browsers don't always follow the standard exactly. Some features get added that aren't in the standard.

[–] Dirk@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 months ago

established standard for HTML

That is constantly changing.

Like CSS or JS, or other modern web technologies nowadays browsers are capable of.