Understanding the Core Concept
What does cross-browser compatibility mean when developing a website or web app?
- The site works and looks consistently across different browsers and their versions.
- The site only supports the newest browser released this year.
- The site runs on different operating systems only, which is cross-platform compatibility.
- The site is compatible with any screen size regardless of browser, which is only responsive design.
- The site is optimized for a single browser to maximize speed.
Importance for Users
Why is cross-browser compatibility important for users visiting the same page with different browsers?
- It ensures a similar experience and access to features for all users regardless of the browser.
- It guarantees zero bugs in the codebase forever.
- It automatically boosts search engine ranking without content changes.
- It reduces server power consumption significantly.
- It lets the site function offline without any additional work.
Common Issues Example
Which scenario is a common cross-browser issue you might encounter with CSS layout?
- A flexbox layout aligns correctly in one browser but wraps incorrectly in another due to default differences.
- A database query returns fewer rows on one server than another.
- A domain name fails to resolve after an update.
- A printer outputs pages in grayscale instead of color.
- A mobile battery drains faster during video playback.
Standards and Best Practice
Which practice most helps achieve cross-browser compatibility in markup and styles?
- Writing semantic, standards-compliant HTML and CSS and avoiding proprietary-only features.
- Replacing all text with images to look identical everywhere.
- Targeting a single browser with exclusive, nonstandard CSS.
- Turning off CSS entirely to prevent layout issues.
- Relying on luck that browsers interpret code the same way.
Feature Detection vs Sniffing
When deciding whether to use a modern web feature, what approach is recommended for cross-browser compatibility?
- Use feature detection in code (for example, check if a method exists) and provide fallbacks.
- Use user-agent string sniffing and assume capabilities based on its text.
- Block all older browsers from accessing the site.
- Randomly enable features to see if users complain.
- Rename the feature to a different variable to bypass incompatibility.
Polyfills and Transpilers
What is the purpose of using a polyfill or transpiler in the context of cross-browser compatibility?
- To provide missing features or convert newer syntax so older browsers can run the code.
- To compress images for faster downloads only.
- To enforce server-side authentication rules.
- To generate decorative animations that run only on new devices.
- To increase screen brightness on compatible monitors.
Vendor Prefixes
Why might a developer use vendor-prefixed CSS properties (for example, a property starting with -vendor-) during a transition period?
- To enable experimental or partially supported features in specific browsers while keeping a standard fallback.
- To hide CSS from all browsers to prevent rendering.
- To encrypt styles so other developers cannot read them.
- To make JavaScript execute faster by moving it into CSS.
- To force all browsers to use identical rendering engines.
Distinguishing Related Concepts
Which statement correctly distinguishes cross-browser compatibility from responsive design?
- Cross-browser compatibility is about different browsers handling the same code consistently, while responsive design adapts layouts to different screen sizes.
- Cross-browser compatibility and responsive design are the same concept with different names.
- Responsive design ensures scripts run in old browsers, whereas cross-browser compatibility changes screen sizes.
- Cross-browser compatibility only concerns server-side languages, while responsive design concerns client-side CSS.
- Responsive design is about color schemes, whereas cross-browser compatibility is about fonts only.
Testing Approaches
Which method is a sensible way to test cross-browser compatibility before launch?
- Test pages on a range of real browsers and versions, using emulators or virtual machines when necessary.
- Assume that if it works on your development browser, it works everywhere.
- Ask users to report issues after launch instead of testing.
- Only test the home page and ignore inner pages.
- Test only in private browsing mode to simulate all browsers.
Enhancement Strategies
Which strategy describes building a basic, accessible experience first and adding advanced features if the browser supports them?
- Progressive enhancement
- Graceful degradation
- Aggressive optimization
- Progressive enchantment
- Gross-browser compatibility