What does “[removed]void(0)” mean?

Question

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I\'ve seen such hrefs many times, but I don\'t know what exactly

Answer 1

void is an operator that is used to return a undefined value so the browser will not be able to load a new page.

Web browsers will try and take whatever is used as a URL and load it unless it is a JavaScript function that returns null. For example, if we click a link like this:

<a href="javascript: alert('Hello World')">Click Me</a>

then an alert message will show up without loading a new page, and that is because alert is a function that returns a null value. This means that when the browser attempts to load a new page it sees null and has nothing to load.

An important thing to note about the void operator is that it requires a value and cannot be used by itself. We should use it like this:

<a href="javascript: void(0)">I am a useless link</a>

Answer 2

Web Developers use javascript:void(0) because it is the easiest way to prevent the default behavior of a tag. void(*anything*) returns undefined and it is a falsy value. and returning a falsy value is like return false in onclick event of a tag that prevents its default behavior.

So I think javascript:void(0) is the simplest way to prevent the default behavior of a tag.

Answer 3

The void operator evaluates the given expression and then returns undefined.

The void operator is often used merely to obtain the undefined primitive value, usually using “void(0)” (which is equivalent to “void 0”). In these cases, the global variable undefined can be used instead (assuming it has not been assigned to a non-default value).

An explanation is provided here: void operator.

The reason you’d want to do this with the href of a link is that normally, a javascript: URL will redirect the browser to a plain text version of the result of evaluating that JavaScript. But if the result is undefined, then the browser stays on the same page. void(0) is just a short and simple script that evaluates to undefined.

Answer 4

You should always have an href on your a tags. Calling a JavaScript function that returns 'undefined' will do just fine. So will linking to '#'.

Anchor tags in Internet Explorer 6 without an href do not get the a:hover style applied.

Yes, it is terrible and a minor crime against humanity, but then again so is Internet Explorer 6 in general.

I hope this helps.

Internet Explorer 6 is actually a major crime against humanity.

Answer 5

It's worth mentioning that you'll sometimes see void 0 when checking for undefined, simply because it requires fewer characters.

For example:

if (something === undefined) {
    doSomething();
}

Compared to:

if (something === void 0) {
    doSomething();
}

Some minification methods replace undefined with void 0 for this reason.

Answer 6

Usage of javascript:void(0) means that the author of the HTML is misusing the anchor element in place of the button element.

Anchor tags are often abused with the onclick event to create pseudo-buttons by setting href to "#" or "javascript:void(0)" to prevent the page from refreshing. These values cause unexpected behavior when copying/dragging links, opening links in a new tabs/windows, bookmarking, and when JavaScript is still downloading, errors out, or is disabled. This also conveys incorrect semantics to assistive technologies (e.g., screen readers). In these cases, it is recommended to use a <button> instead. In general you should only use an anchor for navigation using a proper URL.

Source: MDN's <a> Page.