I’m new to JavaScript and working through a beginner’s guide. The book suggests using a special technique to make sure older browsers that don’t support JS don’t see the code. It’s pretty simple. You just wrap your JS in HTML comment tags.
Here’s what it looks like:
<script>
<!--
// Your JavaScript goes here
//-->
</script>
This works fine when I test it in different browsers. But when I use Aptana Studio 3, it shows an error. I think it’s because Aptana sees the ‘<’ as a ‘less than’ sign instead of the start of a comment.
The error pops up right at the ‘<!–’ part. It says ‘Syntax Error: Unexpected Token’.
Does anyone know how to fix this in Aptana? Or is there a better way to hide JS from old browsers nowadays?
The technique you’re referring to is indeed outdated. Modern web development practices have moved away from such methods. Instead, focus on writing standards-compliant JavaScript and use feature detection for browser compatibility.
If you’re concerned about older browsers, consider using a library like Modernizr to detect features, or employ progressive enhancement techniques. This approach allows your site to function on older browsers while taking advantage of newer features when available.
Regarding Aptana Studio 3, the error you’re seeing is likely due to its linting rules. You can either adjust these rules in your IDE settings or, preferably, update your coding practices to align with current standards. This will not only resolve the IDE issue but also improve your overall development skills and code quality.
I’ve been in web development for a while, and I can tell you that hiding JavaScript with HTML comments is pretty much obsolete these days. Modern browsers handle JavaScript well, so there’s no need for those old tricks anymore.
Instead of worrying about concealing your code, focus on writing clean, efficient JavaScript. If you’re concerned about browser compatibility, look into using feature detection libraries like Modernizr or consider transpiling your code with tools like Babel.
As for the Aptana issue, it’s likely just the IDE being overly sensitive. You could try disabling that specific error in your settings, but honestly, I’d recommend moving away from that technique altogether. It’s better to embrace modern practices and let older browsers gracefully degrade if they can’t handle your JavaScript.
hey ethan, techniques like comment tags are outdated. most modern browsers run js fine. if you are concerned bout compatibility, rely on feature detection or polyfills. aptana might flag that old syntax, but you can ignore it, or switch to modern code.