Use feature detection instead of browser detection by checking for the presence of APIs in JavaScript, such as typeof(Storage) !== "undefined" for localStorage support. 2. Use Modernizr for comprehensive feature detection, which adds HTML classes and enables JavaScript checks like Modernizr.canvas while allowing customized, lightweight builds. 3. Perform direct API checks for common HTML5 features: use !!document.createElement('canvas').getContext for Canvas, !!document.createElement('video').canPlayType for Video, check navigator.geolocation for Geolocation, typeof(Worker) !== "undefined" for Web Workers, and test element properties for Drag and Drop support. 4. Use the in operator to verify property availability, such as 'querySelector' in document or 'fetch' in window. Always apply progressive enhancement by building a functional base experience, enhancing with HTML5 features when supported, and providing fallbacks like polyfills—for example, loading a fetch polyfill from a CDN to ensure compatibility across all browsers.
Checking for browser support of HTML5 features is essential to ensure your web application works across different browsers and devices. You don’t want users to encounter broken functionality just because their browser doesn’t support a specific feature. Here’s how you can do it effectively.
1. Use Feature Detection (Not Browser Detection)
Avoid checking the user agent string—it’s unreliable and doesn’t tell you what features are actually supported. Instead, use feature detection, which tests whether a specific feature is available in the current browser.
The most straightforward way is to check for the presence of an API or property in JavaScript:
// Check if localStorage is supported
if (typeof(Storage) !== "undefined") {
// localStorage is available
localStorage.setItem("test", "hello");
} else {
// Fallback for older browsers
console.log("No local storage support");
}2. Use Modernizr (Recommended for Multiple Features)
Modernizr is a popular JavaScript library that automatically detects support for HTML5 and CSS3 features.
Include Modernizr in your page:
<script src="modernizr.js"></script>
It adds classes to the
<html>element (e.g.,flexbox,no-canvas,localstorage)You can also test features directly in JavaScript:
if (Modernizr.canvas) { // Canvas is supported } else { // Canvas not supported – use fallback }
You can customize the build to include only the tests you need, keeping file size small.
3. Direct API Checks for Common HTML5 Features
Here are some common checks you can perform manually:
Canvas:
function supportsCanvas() { return !!document.createElement('canvas').getContext; }Video:
function supportsVideo() { return !!document.createElement('video').canPlayType; }Geolocation:
if (navigator.geolocation) { // Geolocation is supported }Web Workers:
if (typeof(Worker) !== "undefined") { // Web Workers supported }Drag and Drop:
function supportsDragAndDrop() { var div = document.createElement('div'); return ('draggable' in div) || ('ondragstart' in div && 'ondrop' in div); }
4. Use the in Operator for Properties
To check if a certain property exists in an object:
if ('querySelector' in document) {
// Modern DOM selection is supported
}Or for newer APIs like fetch:
if ('fetch' in window) {
// You can use fetch()
}Bonus: Progressive Enhancement & Fallbacks
Always design with progressive enhancement:
- Build a basic experience that works everywhere.
- Enhance with HTML5 features when available.
- Provide fallbacks (e.g., Flash for video, polyfills for APIs).
For example, using a polyfill for fetch:
<script src="https://cdn.polyfill.io/v2/polyfill.min.js?features=fetch"></script>
Basically, just check if the feature exists before using it. Use Modernizr for broad detection, or write simple JavaScript checks for individual features. It’s not complex, but it keeps your site working for more users.
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