javascript void(0) problem in IE

Question

HI,

I am developing a web page using asp.net.

I am using some links in my web page. For that I have used some code like this.

<a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="javascript:ChangeLoc('TEST','');">Test</a>

and in the ChangeLoc() method I have written __doPostBack event.

This works fine in IE7 installed in my machine. But in IE6 in another machine it does not invoke the __doPostBack event.

Edit

When I change the void(0) in href it works fine.

I would like to know whether it is a bug with IE or a JavaScript problem.

function ChangeLoc( param, arg )
{
     __doPostBack ( param, arg )
}

This makes me think... why is there three camps of people who work with and javascript? One likes to have javascript:[code here] in the href, another likes to have void(0) and have all the code in onclick, and then there's #... — unrelativity, May 08 '09 at 07:39
There are four camps. The three you describe, and the group who are correct and use progressive enhancement: http://icant.co.uk/articles/pragmatic-progressive-enhancement/ — Quentin, May 08 '09 at 08:53

score 12 · Accepted Answer · answered May 08 '09 at 04:56

href and onclick both get fired when you click an element, you are overwriting the onclick event with void()

change to

<a href="#" onclick="ChangeLoc();return false">test</a>

or with jQuery.

$(function(){
  $("#linkId").click(function(event){
      ChangeLoc();
      event.preventDefault();
  });
});

Adam Markowitz · Answer 2 · 2009-05-08T15:04:19.327

3

Do you get an error? If so, what error do you get in IE6? Can you post the code for ChangeLoc()? Also, try changing your markup to the following and see if you get the same result:

<a href="#" onclick="ChangeLoc(); return false;">Test</a>

Edit: removed 'javascript:' from the onclick

edited May 08 '09 at 15:04

answered May 08 '09 at 04:51

Adam Markowitz

12,919
3
29
21

No there isn't any error. If I change the void(0) then it works fine. I was asking if it was a bug with IE or a void(0) probelm – rahul May 08 '09 at 04:55
2

Adam: there's no need or use for the javascript: prefix in onclick. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/372159/do-you-ever-need-to-specify-javascript-in-an-onclick – Shog9 May 08 '09 at 05:39

Dimitar Ivanov · Answer 3 · 2014-07-26T05:41:28.987

1

You can also use unobtrusive javascript syntax:

<a href="index.html" id="chngLink">test</a>

<script type="text/javascript">
document.getElementById("chngLink").onclick = function(e) {
    if (e && e.preventDefault) {
        e.preventDefault();
    }
    ChangeLoc('TEST','');
    return false;
};
</script>

edited Jul 26 '14 at 05:41

answered May 08 '09 at 07:30

Dimitar Ivanov

11
5

You should avoid using "onclick" attribute and in general to write javascript in your "href" or any other attribute. Always it's better to add event listeners outside and keep your html code clean. – Dimitar Ivanov Jul 26 '14 at 05:48

score -1 · Answer 4 · answered May 08 '09 at 05:28

-1

it is not good to use <a>-element for javascript functions call. Use styled <span onclick="my_function()" class="looks_like_hyperlink">...</span>

answered May 08 '09 at 05:28

Sergei Kovalenko

1,402
12
17

2

This renders it inaccessible to people using non-pointing devices (keyboards, breath switches, etc). Links or buttons are the way to go (designed with progressive enhancement principles). – Quentin May 08 '09 at 08:51
sorry, but lol what? buttons are designed to get focus and be clicked, touched and so on. use buttons. links are designed to redirect the browser to another markable in the browser's history page. if you use it for javascript, you understand things wrong. – Sergei Kovalenko Dec 19 '18 at 21:19

javascript void(0) problem in IE

4 Answers4

Linked