The word "bookmarklet" has a unique spelling that may seem unfamiliar at first glance. It is pronounced /ˈbʊkˌmɑː(r)klɪt/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first part, "book," refers to the act of bookmarking a page, while "let" signifies a small program or script. Therefore, a bookmarklet is a small program that is saved as a bookmark in a web browser. Despite its unusual spelling, this term has become commonplace in the tech industry and is an essential tool for many web developers.
A bookmarklet is a small piece of JavaScript code that is stored as a bookmark in a web browser. It is a functionality that allows users to quickly perform specific actions or tasks while browsing the internet. These bookmarklets are designed to enhance the user experience by adding additional functions to a website or modifying its behavior.
When a user clicks on a bookmarklet, the JavaScript code is executed, which can manipulate the content of the current webpage or interact with other websites or services. This enables bookmarklets to perform various actions, such as translating text, bookmarking a page, sharing content on social media platforms, or searching for selected text on a different website.
Bookmarklets can be created by any user with knowledge of JavaScript by simply saving the JavaScript code as a bookmark in the browser's bookmarks toolbar or folder. They are often shared among internet users through websites, blogs, or forums, allowing others to benefit from the functionality they provide.
The advantage of bookmarklets lies in their simplicity and versatility. They do not require any installation or software downloads, making them easily accessible from any device or browser. Additionally, bookmarklets can enhance and personalize the browsing experience by adding unique features or functionalities to websites, ultimately improving efficiency and productivity for users.
The word "bookmarklet" is a combination of two words: "bookmark" and "applet".
The term "bookmark" originated in the early days of web browsing when browsers introduced the functionality to save links to web pages for future reference. Users could add these links to their browser's bookmark menu or toolbar, allowing them to easily revisit their favorite or frequently visited websites.
On the other hand, "applet" refers to a small application or program that performs a specific function or task. In the context of web browsing, applets are typically small pieces of code written in languages such as JavaScript that can be executed within the browser to enhance its functionality.
When these two concepts were combined, the term "bookmarklet" emerged to describe a small piece of code or script that is saved as a bookmark in the browser and when clicked, it executes a specific function or modifies the behavior of the current webpage.