CODEWITHSUNDEEP
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Nathan H
Nathan H

Reputation: 49421

A good link explaining why browser sniffing is bad

Sometimes I visit a website with Chrome and get a message that I need to use one of the supported browsers to access the site. It really pisses me off (latest one: http://www.retailroadshow.com).

Anyone knows a link that explains why it is bad and what is the correct way to handle those things? I want to send it to them ...

Thanks

Upvotes: 2

Views: 295

Answers (5)

rosscj2533
rosscj2533

Reputation: 9323

Here's a good example. Basically the example is about a newer version of the browser fixing the issue that required browser specific processing. For this reason it is better to determine if the bug is going to happen regardless of which browser is used rather than do your specific processing based on the browser - “detect the bug, not the browser”.

Upvotes: 0

Marcus Adams
Marcus Adams

Reputation: 53870

Browser Detection: Necessary or Negligent?

Discusses "feature testing" versus "browser sniffing".

Upvotes: 2

Robert Hui
Robert Hui

Reputation: 744

This looks like a duplicate question to the following:

Browser detection versus feature detection

There are arguments for edge cases where browser detection is appropriate, generally when used for internal applications where the app is built around a particular browser, or when feature detection is difficult or the browser implements the feature incorrectly.

One of the links present in the question above points to Mozilla's developer site, giving some cases for browser detection, pitfalls to avoid, and tips for doing it correctly.

https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Browser_Detection_and_Cross_Browser_Support

Upvotes: 4

chimerical
chimerical

Reputation: 6023

This has some good case studies on the cons of browser sniffing, in the context of Javascript.

http://www.quirksmode.org/js/support.html

Upvotes: 1

Andrey
Andrey

Reputation: 60075

I think that browser sniffing is fine when it enforces you not to use too old browsers (especially IE6). Someone has to enforce that so that internet can move forward. This particular side's check is extremely stupid and outdated, just take a look what they suggest:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher
  • Mozilla Firefox 1.0 or higher
  • Netscape Browser 7.0 or higher
  • Safari 1.2 or higher for Macintosh

And the must for browser check is ability to use site as is.

Just do not use their services if they are unable to respect potential clients.

Upvotes: 0

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