IE-only filter: Target IE 5.5.x --> 6.x/PC? Best way?

[mhulse]

Hi,

What would be the best way to test for IE only, and IE less than 7 (without conditional comments)?

I want to apply alphaImageLoader via a JS function, but I am not sure of best way to only target IE 5.5 --> 6/PC.

Any tips?

Many many thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Micky

[mhulse]

Silly me, I just found this... I think it will help.

:: crossing fingers ::

[mhulse]

Well, this seems to test for all IE's:

	// Test for IE (5.0) || (5.5) || (6.0):
	var x = document;
	if(x.all && ((!x.fireEvent && !x.opera) || (x.fireEvent && !x.creatComment) || (x.fireEvent && x.createComment))) {
		alert('IE');
	}

How to exclude IE7? I will post back if/when I figure that one out.

[mhulse]

See any problems with this logic?

	// Test for IE (5.0) || (5.5) || (6.0) and not (7.0):
	var x = document;
	if(x.all && ((!x.fireEvent && !x.opera) || (x.fireEvent && !x.creatComment) || (x.fireEvent && x.createComment)) && !window.XMLHttpRequest) {
		alert('IE');
	}

[MikeFoster]

Hi Micky,

It's "window.opera" instead of "document.opera".

Why not use conditional comments or conditional compilation? It is the most forward compatible and fail-safe method of detecting a particular IE version.

Regarding the article you linked to... I always liked Eddie and his work - but that article is very old. What it refers to as "object detection" is not what we mean by "object detection" today.

[mhulse]

Hi Mike! Thanks for the quick reply.

It's "window.opera" instead of "document.opera".

Ahhh, thanks! I was wondering about that.

I am guessing this looks a little bit better:

var x = document;
var y = window;
if(x.all && ((!x.fireEvent && !y.opera) || (x.fireEvent && !x.creatComment) || (x.fireEvent && x.createComment)) && !y.XMLHttpRequest) {
/* IE only and IE < 7.0: */
}

Why not use conditional comments or conditional compilation? It is the most forward compatible and fail-safe method of detecting a particular IE version.

Gosh, I would really like to do that... Hmm, you are giving me some ideas... I guess I could put the function within an <!--[if lt IE 7]> CC, and then call it from my main JS file... In Javascript, is there a good way to test to see if a function exists? if(window.function()) { function() }?

I think I have to test some different approaches and get back to you. I am currently having issues with cookies and the mulitple install of IE! God, I really hate IE 6 and below... makes me want to quit computers.

Hmmm, conditional compilation sounds like an interesting approach! I will have to research this some more. Thanks for tips... sometimes I am not sure what "keyword" to search for via Google.

Regarding the article you linked to... I always liked Eddie and his work - but that article is very old. What it refers to as "object detection" is not what we mean by "object detection" today.

Ahhh, thanks for clarification.

I just found that link via a Sitepoint search... I kinda had a feeling that it was a bit outdated.

Thanks again Mike! You are always a great help!

[Raffles]

I think conditional comments are the cleanest way. You don't have to detect objects you're not going to use and it's infallible. I've done this and it works quite nicely.

Put all your IE-only JS in an external file and put it in the head via conditional comments. Then test for the existence of the function in your main script:

function doStuff() {
   if (typeof(ieOnlyFunction) !== 'undefined') ieOnlyFunction();
   else { // stuff for everyone else }
}

[mhulse]

function doStuff() {
   if (typeof(ieOnlyFunction) !== 'undefined') ieOnlyFunction();
   else { // stuff for everyone else }
}

Perfect! That sounds good to me.

Many many thanks Raffles and Mike, I really appreciate both of your help(s?)! Lol, I am never sure how to word that... "Both of your helps"?

Thanks thanks thanks!!!

Off Topic:

I may be back with a few more questions... I can not test anything atm -- Currently re-installing Multiple IE -- for some reason, after dinking with my privacy settings, IE6 would open and not allow me to interact with it! Going to de-frag, clean registry, and re-install Multiple IE.

[MikeFoster]

You are very welcome, Micky

[Raffles]

No worries.

"Both of your help" does sound a bit weird...