On the World Wide Web, which type of software program is used to view and navigate web pages?

Introduction / Context:
This question relates to basic internet usage. When users access the World Wide Web, they open programs that can display text, images, videos and interactive content from remote servers. These programs are distinct from the web pages and websites themselves and have a specific name that appears in both technical and everyday language. Recognising this term is essential for understanding instructions about internet use and troubleshooting guides.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the software tool a user runs on a computer or mobile device.
• This program is used to view and navigate web pages.
• Options include website, web host, web browser, hyperlink and search engine.
• Assume common programs such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari.

Concept / Approach:
A web browser is the software application that retrieves, interprets and displays web pages written in HTML and other web technologies. Examples of browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Apple Safari. A website is a collection of web pages stored on a server. A web host is the service that provides server space for websites. A hyperlink is a clickable link inside a page, and a search engine is a specialised website or service that indexes and retrieves web pages. The question clearly describes the role of the software program that shows pages to the user, which is the browser, not the other components related to the web ecosystem.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Open a help article on any device and read instructions such as open your web browser and type the address in the address bar. They always refer to the program you use, not to the website itself. Operating systems group Firefox, Chrome and similar tools together under a category like internet or web in their application menus. Documentation for search engines such as Google explains that the user reaches the search engine using a browser, which further confirms the difference. This repeated usage across documentation clearly indicates that the correct term for the software program is web browser.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Website: A website is a collection of web pages located at a particular domain, not the program that displays them.
• Web host: Web hosting is a service that stores website files on servers so that browsers can access them.
• Hyperlink: A hyperlink is a clickable element within a web page that takes you to another page or resource.
• Search engine: A search engine is a website or service that helps you find other web pages, but you still need a browser to access it.

Common Pitfalls:
Some users informally say things like open Google to mean open the browser and go to the Google home page, which can blur the distinction between a search engine and a browser. Others may refer to their favourite site as the internet itself. For exam purposes, it is important to keep the roles separate in your mind: the browser is the tool you use, the website is what you see, the host is where it is stored, and the search engine helps you find sites. When a question asks about the software program used to view pages, web browser is always the expected answer.

Final Answer:
The software program used to view and navigate web pages is a Web browser.