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I want to build my own browser with firefox code

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 12 views
  • Last reply by COD3

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Hopefully this is the right place to ask this question. I want to build a browser stringing together code myself. To make things easy for me I intend to use an opensource project as foundation and just bring in my own code. I have laid out a workflow for the project (stages, coding and all). Is there any map/blueprint that details the entire firefox source? Is there any guide on how to do what I intend to do? There are docs available for such things if one is looking to build using chrome source code. I'll be building on windows, using NetBeans IDE. Where do I start in terms of taking code out and putting them into my project. I know like other software firefox is collection of files and folders, coupled with other functionalities.

Do I get the source code from git, openhub or do I just use the code from a downloaded copy. Which is better: get firefox and take out the parts I need and bring them into my project (copy code and paste it in) or get firefox and knock of the unwanted parts (just delete certain code). I intend to use Java, will that be possible?


As an example: torch browser is a chrome-based browser. I want to build a modern browser and say its a firefox-based browser. or do I just opt for chrome instead?

Hopefully this is the right place to ask this question. I want to build a browser stringing together code myself. To make things easy for me I intend to use an opensource project as foundation and just bring in my own code. I have laid out a workflow for the project (stages, coding and all). Is there any map/blueprint that details the entire firefox source? Is there any guide on how to do what I intend to do? There are docs available for such things if one is looking to build using chrome source code. I'll be building on windows, using NetBeans IDE. Where do I start in terms of taking code out and putting them into my project. I know like other software firefox is collection of files and folders, coupled with other functionalities. Do I get the source code from git, openhub or do I just use the code from a downloaded copy. Which is better: get firefox and take out the parts I need and bring them into my project (copy code and paste it in) or get firefox and knock of the unwanted parts (just delete certain code). I intend to use Java, will that be possible? As an example: torch browser is a chrome-based browser. I want to build a modern browser and say its a firefox-based browser. or do I just opt for chrome instead?

All Replies (3)

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hi, this won't be a very simple task (&certainly beyond the scope of this forum - which is intended for end user support). but to get started you could take a look at https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Developer_guide/Build_Instructions/Simple_Firefox_build

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Also, there's a Mozilla Development forum over here: http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewforum.php?f=27 "Discuss building things with or for the Mozilla Platform."

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Thanks guys. I appreciate it.