How Is User Agent Data Collected?
An HTTP header is referred to as a user agent that facilitates the interaction of the end user with web content. It is a string text request that the client computer transmits. The destination server, through the user agent string, recognizes the type of browser, device type, and operating system of the user. When a user logs into a website, the string informs the server type of browser and operating system the visitor is using. Every visitor expects a flowing experience while browsing a web portal, and the website server strives to provide the desired expectation by understanding the end user.
No universal formatting
There is no customary way of inscription of what`s my user agent, different web browser have different way of formatting, and specific web browser pours tons of information into the user agent. There is software to decode the user agent string to extract every piece of data. User–agent information segregates all the data in the user agent and clarifies the browser name and type of device used and operating system. Some mobile web browser permits the user to alter the browser identification as mobile or web mode.
This feature is to allow the mobile browser to access certain websites designed for only desktops. If one alters the setting, the user agent is affected. You can check out https://youruseragent.info/ for more information.
To ensure compatibility
The user-agent string was designed not to confuse but as a necessary evil to ensure compatibility between old and new browsers. This feature makes certain new browser would perform seamlessly and not inoperative because of the new model. For instance, a new browser is launched under the name of “very innovative browser”; the user string encrypts the browser information when the person accesses a website. Many websites will inappropriately read the very innovative browser is not a popular browser, thus serving a crap version of the website. To nullify this user agent string would enclose popular browse through very innovative browser to dupe the server. So an Android Chrome camouflage to Mobile Safari, Mobile Safari mask to Gecko.
User Agent Client Hints (UA-CH)
The information gathered is used for mass use cases, inclusive of website analytics and optimization. If a user logs in with a new device or content customized particularly for the device, such as a smartphone, the use cases acquire all data about the user`s browser, operating system, and browser. The most common way to gather these data is the user agent string, a kind of HTTP header. For decades this user agent string had been integrated into part of the web. But recently, Google shaped a new HTTP header substituting the old one with User Agent Client Hints (UA-CH).
Unique numbering system
To gain more insight, you can run UA string, but still, it is not easy to decode a device. For instance, iPhone or iPod user agent does not contain adequate data about the used device. Additionally, the new Apple device user agent is confusing between new models. Apple is the only operating system that actively masks device model information. In a UA string, you will find data about the OS and version number. Each software vendor has its unique numbering system as well as each release is a subtle or gross increment.
