What distinguishes adaptive web design from responsive web design?

Adaptive web design is characterized by its use of fixed layouts tailored for specific screen sizes. Unlike responsive web design, which fluidly adjusts and resizes content to fit various screen dimensions using flexible grids and layouts, adaptive design detects the user's device and serves a predetermined layout that fits that particular screen size. This approach ensures that the display is optimized for the device being used, providing a consistent user experience across various devices.

In contrast to adaptive design, responsive design does not require specific layouts for different devices; instead, it uses a single fluid layout that scales content dynamically. This allows for a broader range of compatibility across devices without the need for separate designs for each screen size.

The other choices reflect misunderstandings about web design principles. For example, responsive design is known for using the same URL regardless of the device accessing it, eliminating any need for separate URLs. Additionally, while JavaScript can enhance responsiveness, it is not the sole technology relied upon; responsive design predominantly uses CSS techniques, such as media queries, to achieve layout flexibility.