Gecko

Gecko is the open source, free software web browser layout engine used in all Mozilla-branded software and its derivatives, including later Netscape releases. Written in C++, Gecko is designed to support open Internet standards. Originally created by Netscape Communications Corporation, its development is now overseen by the Mozilla Foundation.

Gecko offers a rich programming API that makes it suitable for a wide variety of roles in Internet enabled applications, such as web browsers, content presentation and client/server [1]. Primarily it is used by Mozilla browser derivatives, such as Mozilla Firefox, K-Meleon and Netscape, to render websites and the browser user interface (written in XUL), but it is used elsewhere as well. Gecko is cross-platform and works on a number of different operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, BSD s, GNU/Linux and Mac OS X.