[thelist] Netscape 6.1, radiobuttons, and DTD

martin.p.burns at uk.pwcglobal.com martin.p.burns at uk.pwcglobal.com
Thu Feb 28 08:02:01 CST 2002


Memo from Martin P Burns of PricewaterhouseCoopers

-------------------- Start of message text --------------------

Paul

Isn't part of the point of radio buttons is that it's an either/or choice,
which forces users to pick one of the options?

This is supported by the RFC, cited in the HTML4.01 spec (and inherited by
XHTML):
'If no radio button in a set sharing the same control name is initially
"on", user agent behavior for choosing which control is initially "on" is
undefined. Note. Since existing implementations handle this case
differently, the current specification differs from RFC 1866 ([RFC1866]
section 8.1.2.4), which states:
At all times, exactly one of the radio buttons in a set is checked. If none
of the <INPUT> elements of a set of radio buttons specifies `CHECKED', then
the user agent must check the first radio button of the set initially.
Since user agent behavior differs, authors should ensure that in each set
of radio buttons that one is initially "on".'

I guess that the NS developers though along the lines of "Hmm, the HTML
spec doesn't say how to do it, so let's follow the RFC"

Cheers
Martin


Subject:    [thelist] Netscape 6.1, radiobuttons, and DTD


I've just run into a curious thing: apparently, Netscape 6.1 will select
radiobuttons in forms when it is served a page with a DTD, but will
correctly render the form (i.e. not select any radiobuttons) in a page
without a DTD. I've put together some short examples here:

http://one-pla.net/screenshots/n61radiobuttons/

This is serious enough that I'm sure it must be old news, but a quick check
of the archives and of google didn't turn up anything. Short of excluding
the DTD, are there any fixes for this?


--------------------- End of message text --------------------

This e-mail is sent by the above named in their
individual, non-business capacity and is not on
behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

PricewaterhouseCoopers may monitor outgoing and incoming
e-mails and other telecommunications on its e-mail and
telecommunications systems.
----------------------------------------------------------------
The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged
material.  Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or
taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or
entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited.   If you received
this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any
computer.




More information about the thelist mailing list