Firefox 58 Starts Through: The new version should ensure that web content is compiled from the start on loading and thus displayed faster. In addition, the security of the browser was worked on.
Mozilla has donated a new update to its open-source browser Firefox. This should provide for improved safety and more speed. In addition, an auto-fill function for credit card data as well as a new screenshot function has been added.
Actually, Mozilla has already turned up with the update to version 57 or Firefox Quantum properly on the pace screw. Firefox 58 should be even more powerful. To speed up the page layout, the browser already compiles WebAssembly code during the download. Mozilla calls this approach "streaming compilation". Specifically, it means that one page or parts of it are already displayed, while other elements are still loaded. This would process the code 10 to 15 times faster.
In addition to the streaming compiler, an optimizing compiler is also used. The latter is primarily responsible for the optimal presentation of the web content. This takes more time, which is why the Optimizing Compiler also works in the background.
As in Firefox Quantum, version 58 has further improved processing in multiple parallel threads. To relieve the main thread, compilation is split among multiple threads. A desktop PC could load 30 to 60 MBytes of WebAssembly code per second, which is more than the network can deliver, according to Firefox developer Lin Clark on Mozilla Hacks.
Compiled code should be stored in the HTTP cache
In addition, already compiled code should be stored in the HTTP cache. When a page is recalled, the browser simply accesses the cache instead of recompiling it. This feature is currently under development and will be distributed to users with one of the upcoming updates. However, Firefox 58 already includes the framework for it. So JavaScript code is already stored in the cache. WebAssembly to follow soon.
Another new feature that brings the update is the Off-Main Thread Painting (OMTP). This should improve the refresh rate of Firefox by up to 30 percent. The graphic design is outsourced to a separate thread. In the background, various techniques such as Direct2D or Sika are used.
Finally, some new features have been added. For example, Firefox now has a new screenshot function, which also allows screenshots in private windows. If desired, these can be saved directly to the clipboard. Also new is an autofill feature for credit card details. Provided the user has saved these in advance in the browser.
In addition, small optimizations were made compared to security update 57.0.4. This had been necessary due to the processor issues "Meltdown" and "Specter". With the update to version 58, these have now been revised.
Inventory users usually receive the update automatically via the browser and do not need to do anything else. In addition, both the 32-bit version and the 64-bit versions are in our download area.