Local web apps and W3C standards.

Question

If am writing a local app that will only run using a specific browser, am i setting my self up by slightly ignoring W3C's standards? I ask this question because in this app i am thinking of using custom HTML tags, custom attributes, etc...

Thanks in advance guys.

Answer 1

This is practically probably OK - you could pull it off, if you can guarantee the following:

• The users will always use the same approved browser
• The requirements will not change
• The app design can be maintained in the future

I would go the W3C standards compliant way though.

Answer 2

I believe you should follow the standards. The reason is that technology evolves, but standards usually stays for a while.

Consider that a new version of the browser might not support what you are trying to do in the future. Do not believe people will stay with a certain version of a browser just to use a website. People might be obligated to change version for security reasons. Have you heard about the Aurora IE Exploit.

Here are some links about the exploit:

• http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/01/google-hack-attack/

• http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/01/hack-of-adob/

• http://blog.metasploit.com/2010/01/reproducing-aurora-ie-exploit.html

Also, take into consideration that the standards are meant to make everyone's job easier and everyone will understand the same thing. I believe that web developers should make content viewable and useable for as many people as possible and for as many browsers as possible. Have a look at the W3C mission.

Answer 3

As others are saying, stick with the standards. I would also add, however, that applications always get used more widely than expected, and hang around longer than expected - so it will almost certainly end up being used on other browsers.

Besides, writing in a (more or less) standards compliant way is easier than writing non-compliant code anyway!