Scrawler: meaning, definitions and examples

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scrawler

 

[ ˈskrɔːlər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

internet tool

A scrawler is a type of software program or tool that systematically browses and collects data from web pages. It is often used by search engines or data mining applications to gather and index content from the internet.

Synonyms

bot, crawler, spider

Examples of usage

  • The scrawler indexed thousands of pages in a matter of hours.
  • Web developers often use a scrawler to analyze site structure.
  • A scrawler can gather data for research purposes.
  • Many companies employ scrawlers to monitor competitor websites.

Word origin

The term 'scrawler' is derived from the word 'crawl', which originates from Middle English 'crawl(en)', meaning to move slowly on hands and knees. As technology advanced, particularly with the rise of the internet in the 1990s, the word began to take on new meanings. In this context, 'to crawl' refers to the process by which programs or scripts systematically browse the web to gather information. The suffix '-er' typically denotes someone or something that performs a specific action, thus 'scrawler' came to represent tools designed to 'scrawl' through digital data, organizing and indexing information efficiently. The concept of web crawling has since evolved, with scrawlers now being integral to many internet-based applications, facilitating the way we access and retrieve information online.