What is DOM (Document Object Model)? (Proxies Explained)

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The DOM, or Document Object Model, is a programming interface that represents the structure of a webpage as a tree of elements. It serves as a bridge between the content of a webpage (HTML and CSS) and the scripts or programs that manipulate it. Developers use the DOM to dynamically update a page’s content, style, or behavior, enabling features like interactive forms, animations, or responsive elements.

How Does the DOM Work?

When a browser loads a webpage, it parses the HTML and CSS and creates a DOM tree, where each node represents an element, attribute, or piece of text. For example:

• An <h1> tag becomes a node for the page header.
• A <p> tag creates a node for a paragraph.

Developers can use JavaScript or other scripting languages to access and manipulate these nodes. For instance, they might change the text of a header, update styles, or remove entire sections dynamically, all without reloading the page.

Role of the DOM in Web Scraping

Web scraping tools interact with the DOM to extract specific data from webpages. They navigate the DOM tree to locate and retrieve elements like product prices, names, or reviews. Proxies often complement this process by enabling scrapers to access multiple pages without getting blocked.

The DOM is a foundational concept in modern web development, making it easier to build dynamic and interactive websites while also serving as a key component in automated data extraction workflows.