Target Depreciated?

I see that the "target" attribute of the <a> anchor tag is depreciated.

I assume there is now some CSS hook?

How does one define how a particular link is to open (new window, same window, and so on...)?

Easiest way is to use unobtrusive JavaScript....

http://www.sitepoint.com/article/st...compliant-world
http://www.sitepoint.com/article/xhtml-strict-popups

Please search the forums before asking. This was asked a few days ago and is still on the first page of the HTML forums.... target opening new window.

I can't really see JS for something as simple as defining where a link goes, and many people either have JS disabled, or such linkys are blocked by pop-up blockers and so on.

JavaScript to tell the browser to open in a new window? Seems a little much unless you want a special size or no address bar and so on...

Must be a CSS thing.

That is just a matter of opinion I suppose...

The whole point is that if users have JavaScript disabled for whatever reason the link will still open - albeit in the same window.

I could give you many example sites that use this or similar methods.
It is not difficult to implement and it gives non-JavaScript a almost fully functional site.

Here are some other articles:
The Perfect Pop-up
Accessible Pop-up Links
Beware of opening links in a new window
Opening new windows with JavaScript, version 1.2


Nope. CSS is used to style web pages. Opening links in a new window/tab instead of the current one is a behavior, which is the domain of JavaScript.

I'm NOT interested in "pop-ups". I'm interested in targeting links at new browser tabs.

And, Kravvitz, in the future before closing a thread, maybe you ought to ascertain why a question is being asked and why or why not it might be appropriate for the CSS thread.

That you are now a Moderator is not a license to be rude.

The choice of the term "pop-up" for some of those was unfortunate. I suggest you read them before you complain about them. Pop-ups and links that open in new windows (via JavaScript) can have the same code, except the earlier use window.open's third argument and the latter does not.


There was no need to have two threads on this topic.

I am curious as to why you thought CSS might have a way to do it. If you would like to explain, please do so in this thread.

I was blunt as usual but wasn't intentionally rude. If you felt I was rude, I apologize.

(I think Kravvitz is just trying to do his job, cross posting is against the rules.)

Ah, not quite yet Weekend Coder, but CSS3 is cooking something up. If you haven't already, check this out.

I'm against JavaScript controlling this type of behavior too. Though, for some reason I don't think the target attribute will become obsolete any time soon. But, when that time does come, it will already be supplemented by something better. It's a safe bet to continue using it unless of course your working with someone who's a bit stubborn and has to validate in strict.

Also, I think Kravvitz is doing a fantastic job (so far) especially when he has to deal with punks like you Weekend Coder. His cockiness is pretty much the same as its always been.

Hmmm.... I totally understand what W3C is trying to do with the separation of content, style, and functionality, but it just seems like this is replacing a very simple solution to a problem with a (relatively) more complex one. I suppose this is just a prime example of compliance vs practicality.

Again, I understand the logic behind the depreciation for this, but could somebody describe a practical situation where this benefits the developer or the end user?

IMHO the practicality of it for developers is that they only need to include a JavaScript file in each page.
If they need to make changes on the functionality of how a window (at least for external sites) opens then only need to amend the JS file,
not all the links associated with link type.

I could use my site as an example. I have 2 window opening JS functions:
1) bookmarking utility (pop-up
2) external sites (new window or tab)

For my pop-up links I have added rel="bookmark"
For my external links, the JS file auto-magically adds rel="nofollow" class="ext"

If I wanted to change my pop-up parameters to a bigger window for example,
I just edit the JavaScript file - not the page with the links in it.

Doing things this way has the same value, to me at least, in putting all your styling in a style sheet and not embedding it within the actual HTML.