Javascript: why...? why...?

Javascript is a language used on Web pages all over the Net.
I find Javascript usefull but... why most of the modern browsers allow its
users to disable it?
For what purpose was this language invented?
What is (are) the alternative(s)?

--
Pascal
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Pascal Bouchard

"Pascal Bouchard" <> wrote in message
news:yu7jd.75427$...
> Javascript is a language used on Web pages all over the Net.
> I find Javascript usefull but... why most of the modern browsers allow its
> users to disable it?

People do not like how javascript is abused to popup/under all kinda things,
resize windows and what not. Maybe because of that?

"Pascal Bouchard" <> wrote in message
news:yu7jd.75427$...
> Javascript is a language used on Web pages all over the Net.
> I find Javascript usefull but... why most of the modern browsers allow its
> users to disable it?
> For what purpose was this language invented?
> What is (are) the alternative(s)?
>

There are sooooooo many ways that websites can use JavaScript to abuse
visitors.
The book "Building Really Annoying Websites"
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...43861?v=glance)
Focuses on ways you can really **** people off.
A good 90%+ of the book focuses on JavaScript. That should answer your
first question rather well. People just abuse it too much.

JavaScript does have its uses. There are a lot of ways that you can provide
a high level of interactivity for your users with it.
I can't think of anything (useful) that JavaScript can do that can't be done
server-side such as with PHP, ASP, JSP, Perl, etc.

-Karl

"Karl Core" <> wrote:

> I can't think of anything (useful) that JavaScript can do that can't be done
> server-side such as with PHP, ASP, JSP, Perl, etc.

True (I think, after three seconds consideration), but often the same
action performed client-side by JS seems faster (to the user) than
performing it server-side. Form validation is a good example: while one
would always want final validation to occur server-side, performing it
on the client-side may save the user from having to wait for a full page
request and load to discover they've made a minor typo or skipped a
field.

--
Joel.

"Joel Shepherd" <> wrote in message
news:joelshep-...
> "Karl Core" <> wrote:
>
>> I can't think of anything (useful) that JavaScript can do that can't be
>> done
>> server-side such as with PHP, ASP, JSP, Perl, etc.
>
> True (I think, after three seconds consideration), but often the same
> action performed client-side by JS seems faster (to the user) than
> performing it server-side. Form validation is a good example: while one
> would always want final validation to occur server-side, performing it
> on the client-side may save the user from having to wait for a full page
> request and load to discover they've made a minor typo or skipped a
> field.

You're right. This is especially true for (very) high traffic websites.
You definitely don't want to burden the server with repeated requests just
to validate a form.
Still, in the case of form validation, it makes sense to do both client-side
and server side validation

-Karl

In alt.html Pascal Bouchard said:

> Javascript is a language used on Web pages all over the Net.

and most of the time it shouldn't be. for example, needing JS so a
submit button works. people just don't think.

> I find Javascript usefull

the technology isn't the problem, its giggly technology. as usual its
what people do with the giggly technology that is the problem

> but... why most of the modern browsers allow its users to disable it?

or partially disable it. you're rarely wrong if you automatically assume
sites are going to do something annoying to you with it.

> For what purpose was this language invented?

in hindsight - to annoy

> What is (are) the alternative(s)?

use JS to add optional enhancements to a site, don't make it a
requirement for the site to work. easy peasy.

--
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In alt.html Joel Shepherd said:

> True (I think, after three seconds consideration), but often the same
> action performed client-side by JS seems faster (to the user) than
> performing it server-side. Form validation is a good example: while one
> would always want final validation to occur server-side, performing it
> on the client-side may save the user from having to wait for a full page
> request and load to discover they've made a minor typo or skipped a
> field.

Javascript form validation ¡V doing it right
http://www.xs4all.nl/~sbpoley/webmatters/formval.html

--
the facts and opinions expressed by brucies
l i t t l e v o i c e s
are not necessarily the same as those held by brucie.

Dans un message précédent, brucie <****@usenetshit.info> a écrit:

> use JS to add optional enhancements to a site, don't make it a
> requirement for the site to work. easy peasy.

Absolutely right!


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Ce courriel est exempt de virus.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.783 / Virus Database: 529 - Release Date: 2004-10-27

most people don't bother (or even don't know) to disable it...

This group IS a minority (yes, I know some people do not like to be reminded
of that)

Rudy

"Wÿrm" <> wrote in message
news:cmj0hj$sl2$...
>
> "Pascal Bouchard" <> wrote in message
> news:yu7jd.75427$...
> > Javascript is a language used on Web pages all over the Net.
> > I find Javascript usefull but... why most of the modern browsers allow
its
> > users to disable it?
>
> People do not like how javascript is abused to popup/under all kinda
things,
> resize windows and what not. Maybe because of that?
>
>

"WebMaster" <> wrote:

> most people don't bother (or even don't know) to disable it...
>
> This group IS a minority (yes, I know some people do not like to be reminded
> of that)

It might be a minority, but some of its members are very important ones.
Starting with search engine bots.

--
Joel.