Google Chrome browser development Insider

The development of browser hearsay change reality

August 18, Google headquarters in Mountain View, California Building 41, held a small meeting room once a week will be the manager, this may be released before the Chrome browser will be the last time manager. During the meeting, Brian Rakowski to write a white plate, black dry-erase pen on the board wrote 12 entries.

Gutschewski Rafah test this year, more than 20 years of age, physical Shouchang, like making friends, is a secret plan - Chrome browser development - the product manager. It is learnt that the plan from the start to now have more than two years time.

He wrote the first of the "Published state" (State of the Release). Discussed the release of the outside world is the object of great concern to Chrome - Google's first web browser. Surf the Web browser is an essential tool to help users complete the search, read, buy, bank, log Facebook, chat, watch videos, listen to music, and other online activities. For Google, launched Chrome is definitely a major move, Google is the realization of the real arrival times essential step.

In desktop computing will be upgraded to "cloud computing" process, Google has a big advantage. Chrome is the emergence of competitors to Microsoft issued a major challenge. Many years ago, Microsoft was defeated by virtue of IE browser Netscape Navigator. With the Chrome, IE and will face the same fate of Netscape Navigator, we will wait and see.

In fact, Google will launch the browser rumors have been Bujingerzou a long time ago. In the long wait, many people have already shut the mouth of discussion. But this time the manager will be bound to once again start to discuss the door. According to Google's plan, Chrome on September 2 official. In the open test version before the final version of Rafah test Gutschewski and his team found only five "bug", but have been solved. Technology is responsible for one of the Mark Larson said: "Things are looking pretty good."

Google vice president of product management Sangda Pi-(Sundar Pichai) asked: "What you to engage in a night» "involved in the development of a prototype engineer Darin Fisher (Darin Fisher) said:" Of course Instead of Chrome. "This sentence attracted a laugh, because everyone know that he has a home only 10 weeks of the child. Gutschewski pull out a test in Hong Bi "Published state" and next to an "X". This is a signal that Google Chrome from the browser to become a reality only a step away.

Back in 2001 it is intended to develop

Why should Google browser development » This seems to be a very easy question to answer. In contrast, people more concerned that the development of Google browser Why has such a long time. Paper-said: "We need to do is to allow people to use a browser to visit our resources and networks." CEO Eric Schmidt (Eric Schmidt) said: "The browser is key." He should be very Clearly this point, because in the 1990s intense in the browser wars, he has had served as Sun's chief technology officer (CTO). Undoubtedly, Google founders Larry Page (Larry Page) and Sejibulin (Sergey Brin) and also know that.

Schmidt said: "in 2001, joined Google, Page and Brin told me that 'we have to develop its own browser'. I had the answer is' no '." He explained that the timing was also Immature. "I do not believe that the company then had to withstand with a browser war the strength of our strategic objective should be 'less than the local radar,' This is very important." Although no development, but create their own Browser's idea is retained, rumors began to spread. 2004, "The New York Times" quoted a claim to know the details of Google's business people saying, Google is beginning to develop the browser. The news came out, Schmidt denied immediately be made public.

Behind the scenes, Chrome development is still Schmidt and Google co-founder of the controversial topic. Google finally adopted a compromise, the formation of a group, the task is to improve the browser Wizards of the ancient De (Ben Goodger) and Fischer is responsible for the development of open-source browser Firefox. (De ancient and Fisher are in effect in Firefox owner, non-profit organization Mozilla) In addition, Google also introduced another measure, had worked at NeXT company hired the 37-year-old engineer Lainasie Epson (Linus Upson) as director of research and development projects. Fischer said: "Page and Brin's decision is very wise, to simple reason: if we can do a good job Firefox extension, they will be able to develop a good browser."

In the spring of 2006, Firefox development team started to discuss a new design of the browser. They love Firefox, but they also know that all current browsers have a common defect. In the initial idea of Microsoft IE and Firefox heart of the code base, the browser and not so complicated now. Only on the desktop before the realization of the functions - e-mail, spreadsheet, database management - now more and more the Internet. In the upcoming "cloud computing" era, the network is not just a content delivery platform.

The development process were plagued with setbacks

Of the existing browser patch to adapt to this idea means that, we must constantly related to the development of additional components, such as toolbar, RSS reader and so on. However, such a thorough repair may escalate into a futile effort. Fischer said: "As the development of Firefox, you have to constantly innovate, but you always worry that, once launched the next version, all the expansion will become waste. In fact, this kind of thing has happened." Conclusion is obvious : Only by developing their own software, Google will be the browser into the "cloud computing" era, and potentially set off a tug-of-war since Microsoft and Netscape (ranked transform almost a month) after the unprecedented wave of innovation.

Google concept of a key innovation is the so-called multi-processing structure, this system can help the computer software in the collapse continue to run. Why does not the system will be applied to the browser on? » In other words, when a tab collapse, the other tab can still Tairanziruo. Of course, in order to solve the "one-Lao Shushi bad a pot of soup" of the problem, you can drag the existing tab to create a new window in this way. To put it simply, is to start from scratch, this approach has a number of other advantages. In the design, you can be more concise and make it run faster and more concise, more quickly it is Google pursuing the two major principles.

June 2006, the ancient De, Fisher had worked for the Mozilla and Brian Rainer (Brian Ryner) to develop a "small prototype." Their first major decision is the choice of rendering engine - to help deal with the page's HTML code, and the results displayed in the user's screen. They finalized the two engines are used for open-source Firefox's Gecko and Apple's Safari browser for the WebKit.

WebKit has been responsible for the development of mobile operating systems Android Google's research team used its speed is three times the Gecko, Chrome has become the first choice.

After a few weeks, the ancient De, who has developed in the Windows operating system under the WebKit a relatively simple browser - a collapse of a tab, the browser still running. Ancient De recalled: "When the tab after the collapse, the user will see a face icon of the frustration that the tab has been 'dead', which is Chrome browser the first major feature." Soon after, cloth Lin visited the secret of Pec and the beginning of the browser program. Engineers involved in the development of the Pam Greene recalled: "I remember very clearly, I was sitting next to the table, a toy snake in the table behind. Brin side Wanzhe fitness ball, while watching the Greek charges Seoul demonstration, also did not forget to hand caressing toy snake. "

Executives finally given the green light

No one is precisely to executives when Chrome browser to open the project the green light. Paper-recalled his first Executive Council, Schmidt was no longer seems like before, oppose. The CEO said that if Google is determined to launch the browser works, the research team must be developed with IE and Firefox have a lot of different things. In addition, the Google browser to speed faster, but must be open source.

These, of course, is the research and development team has long thought of the place.

In short, in the autumn of 2006, Chrome browser across from the informal to the formal concept of the project. Engineer Brett Wilson said: "a Friday, we made a will. Executives' senior is considering doing our own browser, you see how« 'everyone is both excited and fear. " The reason why fear, in part because they are very clear that research and development of a competitive browser is a huge task.

As Firefox's reliance on research and development team members inner feelings is Wuwei Zachen, as a representative of the development of open-source Firefox is against Microsoft's dominance of a barrier. October 2006 R & D team of engineers to join Erik Kay said: "Our worry is that people will interpret it for the destruction of Firefox."

Google let people take comfort from the fact that their browser will be 100 percent open-source: Google's innovation could help find access to the Mozilla encoding method. Epu Sen said: "We sincerely hope that Firefox and other open-source browser can succeed."

Google as part of the support of Firefox, Mozilla Paper met with the president-Mitchell Baker, and to her on the Google scheme. Now Baker said that for the Mozilla and Firefox, Chrome browser is a mixture. She will Chrome browser as the launch of the Mozilla browser on the choice of the crucial support of this belief. She said: "If Google made some very good new ideas, but no matter how good the users. Competition-promoting the best browser." However, she also understand that many of her customers will download the application Google Procedures. She said: "We look forward to people to try, and then come back. Independence is very important because, Mozilla will continue to exist."

A secondary problem is this product should take what name. In examining the code, but are feeling very foolish, they borrowed in the past used to describe the framework, tools and browser window bar menu around a word: chrome.

In addition to employ a person is also very important. Chrome expectations because users can run Web application optimization, a key element should be JavaScript Java engine, which is a running Web applications coded "virtual machine." The construction of this virtual machine is the ideal candidate computer scientist Lars Bak. September 2006, kept a more than 20 years of design, Buck ready to take part in his time was spent in Aarhus farms in the countryside. In this time, Google had a telephone call.

Buck established a small team, initially in the farm work, after the University moved to the local office. He knows that his task is a research and development than ever a faster browser engine. He said his team is "V8" part of the project, he said: "We are determined, we must accelerate the speed JavaScript, we have spent four months to do it." Danish research group this morning is usually 7-8 Clock started, have been programmed into the night, 7 o'clock. The only time the lunch break, they will Langtunhuyan within five minutes and finished, and then playing 20 minutes of the game. Buck said: "We are playing Wii tennis game will be."

Speed is the biggest advantage

They also good at writing a JavaScript engine. Back in Google launched Chrome browser weeks before had said: "Today, we just try to run some benchmarks." In fact, V8 engine deal with JavaScript faster than Firefox or Safari browser 10 times faster. In the same as those under the benchmark, Chrome and the dominant browser market compared to Microsoft's IE 7 and how » The answer is the former the latter is running at 56 times. Buck said: "We are somewhat underestimated his ability to work."

Chrome is likely to speed browser is the most important progress. When you volume level to improve the way some of the equipment, you do not have to create better things - you create the new products. Buck said: "The developers realized that such a speed of the charm, they will begin to engage in a more wonderful new network applications, more creativity in this regard." Google expects to launch a new generation of network applications, doing so Microsoft does not want to see the nightmare will become reality: the browser will become the equivalent of the operating system applications.

Chrome Google also made some improvements, so the process of operating a multi-platform, so that every open tab can be as independent as operating procedures. May 2007, Google bought GreenBorder Technologies Company, a software security company, its technology has been used to Firefox or IE to create a closed, safe environment, their activities will be isolated to a "virtual meeting" (or sand Box), where the invasion will not damage malicious software on the computer data and other activities.

The deal made public announcement, the industry suspected Google might be involved in anti-virus field. Soon after the completion of the acquisition, GreenBorder engineers that understand that their work is for a new generation of browser tab building "sand box." Carlos Pizano said: "We are all confused. They will not use that sand box to do."

Despite the growing Chrome development team, but from the development of a bureaucracy like the often encountered in the Predicament. Chrome in the early stages of the project, developers can Google in a cafe on the table to share a lunch. Soon, even the largest table, can not meet the needs of the team dining.

Each engineer with all "open source" the spirit of work, they can not check any code, to adjust or improve. Rafah test Gutschewski in the development process to try to maintain transparency.

With new features

With the overall planning of itemized implement products, engineers began to focus on user interface. The very beginning, Chrome development team hopes that the new browser's visual effects must be Pingdanwuqi, so that users even think that they are not using the browser. Developer has become the slogan of "content, rather than chrome", in view of this browser's name, to give a strange feeling. Mark Larson, we learned how to live in being ridiculed.

When you with a network such as Gmail applications tab drag a separate window, that you want a "shortcut application" (app shortcut) when the most clear expression of will appear in front of you. At this moment, menus, buttons, the address bar all disappeared, Web application looks more like a desktop application.

In deciding which include buttons and functions, the development team began an intellectual game played, that is, the elimination of all things, and then again of how to restore. Behind the button » Are not useful, by deleting. In front of the button » There is no need, but it finally survived. If you are a browser's status bar loyal fans, then you may Chrome is not customary.

Chrome is a bookmark column. Initially, the engineers think they should not have to bookmark column. Chrome introduction of several new navigation methods, such as one of the methods of navigation, the browser can also type of users do not have clear procedures which entered the next. When you enter text, you can use the "omnibox", a combination of the address bar and search bar function: as long as the input you want to find things, it can provide network address, the search results for you or by the requirements of the netizens welcome Destination, all of this information is non-plug-in the form of text in the box below.

Speaking to some extent, it is well-known Google button "I'm Feeling Lucky (I'm Feeling Lucky)," the enhanced version. Google users in the survey conducted shows that some people still like to click on the bookmark bar access to navigation information. Is a compromise: If a user in the past, IE or Firefox browser bookmarks set on the field, Chrome will be set up to import this. Otherwise, users will not bookmark column, unless they deliberately choose.

Confidentiality is very good

Incredibly, Google browser in two years time was not known to the outside world. Until mid-2007, Chrome project about a year's time, the team did not participate in the project so that the staff understand their innovative work in this regard before the news leaked. In the current prototype for the high-tech features a series of talks, employees very strong reaction. In various functions (such as tab drag the new window) demonstration of the process, they broke out from time to time since the heart of the cheers.

With Chrome browser know that more and more people, one thing must happen - Related news reached the ears of the blog. However, a reporter can not organize these rumors together. Wu Pusen (Upson), said: "I think this is because the Google browser rumors exist for a long time, just like people to see that every day that included strange or Nice Huguai, in the end we had grown accustomed to."

Chrome browser introduced in the eve of Paper check Iraq (Pichai) with a number of people share his Chrome browser's expectations. Is how many people will use Google browser » He said: "how it has several million. I hope that the mother also used, of course, her father." Chrome on Google's internal recognition does not mean that the new browser will be successful, Wu Pusen that can not even Chrome Win big market share, but its innovative technology will improve the overall performance of the browser. He said: "If the networks get better, we naturally will be direct beneficiaries."

With Chrome browser launch time is approaching, the team moved to a park company Google decoration of a new office building. The largest park in a conference room, the engineers can meet here, but can only stand, sit down, then the space is insufficient. The company also to provide them with milk and biscuits. After the initial development, the test Gutschewski will pull the whole floor over to his. He patiently to explain Chrome will create for the various benefits of open-source products. Open source code is made public, each user can help improve the function of the browser.

Rafah test Gutschewski said: "We will be able to measure our test results. It can imagine the people we have never been involved in the matter, we allow users to create a trust, this is not the work of the other effects."

As the meeting draws to a close, participants also reached the emotional peak, not only because of the role of coffee. After all, Chrome development team is about to open Google Ming Mingzhong to go to complete a new product of the mystery. Nevertheless, the development team top priority is to remove Henggen in front of them five technical problems.