When is the '[removed]' prefix valid syntax?

Question

I know that you can use a javascript: pseudo protocol for URLs in an tag. However, I\'ve noticed that Firefox and IE will both allow \'javascri

Answer 1

One thing to consider, our testers would always ding us if we did something like

<a href='javascript:openwindowmethod("url");'> stuff </a>

Rather than

<a href='url' onclick='return openwindowmethod(this.href);'> stuff </a>

The first method would only work if you click on it but not if you shift or alt clicked on it, or right clicked and went to open in a new window.

The second method would support all of that, as well as the ability to function the way it intended if the user just plain clicked the link.

Answer 2

You need the javascript: "protocol" when you want to put JavaScript in the href attribute of a link.

<!-- does not work -->
<a href="alert('some text');">link</a>

<!-- does work -->
<a href="javascript:alert('some text');">link</a>

<!-- also works -->
<a href="#" onclick="alert('some text');">link</a>

As far as I know (and please, if I'm wrong, someone correct me) there is no difference in scope, but there is a very important difference about this.

<!-- does not work -->
<a href="alert(this.href);">link</a>

<!-- alerts "undefined" -->
<a href="javascript:alert(this.href);">link</a>

<!-- works as expected, alerts "<url>#" -->
<a href="#" onclick="alert(this.href);">link</a>

Answer 3

Outside of the href attribute (where it is a protocol specifier), name: just creates a label (such as one might use with a continue or break).

See: Do you ever need to specify javascript: in an onclick?