Browser tags

Just a thought

[Filipe]

Why don't they create a tag that creates a codeblock specific to a certain browser?

People are always asking "How do I check for browser version?" "How do I redirect people if they're using this browser?" etc. Is there a reason (other than HTML standardization issues) why they wouldn't implement a tag like <BROWSER TYPE="IE" VERSION="4.*"> </BROWSER> where the code between would only be interpreted if it were displayed under said browser?

This wouldn't be a fix for big problems where you would have entirely different pages for a certain browser, but when it's small fixes like for Javascript compatibility or CSS, wouldn't this be a cleaner, faster way to go about it?

[papabaer]

At first it would seem a "nice" solution. But two reasons against this immediately come to mind:

First, it would be a compromise where there should be none; we need to migrate towards standards. Secondly, it would allow, perhaps even invite, a return to propriety coding. The "jinnii" is not quite back in the bottle, but I am certain, once he is... no one will want to "uncork" that nasty bugger again!

Propriety code.... for propriety software, not for core web coding. Let's get "Standardized!" ;)

[joshie76]

Whilst I agree with papabaer - IE does have some clever little things called conditional comments which can simplify much of your browser sniffing... there's a thread on it here [webmasterworld.com]

[ggrot]

The best solution in today's world is just to use server side code to deliver content based on user agent. This loads faster (less bandwidth) and allows for more subtle differences.