Difference between _self, _top, and _parent in the anchor tag target attribute
Navigate through hyperlinks with the use of these target attributes:
_self: Keeps it close to home, opens URL in the current frame itself, be it a window or a tab._top: Breaks all barriers to make way to the root parent in the frames hierarchy._parent: Aims at the immediate ancestor, loads the URL there. If no parent, it acts identical to_self.
Jumping right into the implementation:
Their role? To maintain a smooth navigation flow, enabling content delivery as expected.
Know your targets: _self, _top, and _parent
Understanding the difference between _self, _top, and _parent attributes can guide your navigation planning and influence the overall user experience. Here's a little breakdown:
_self: Stay put
_self keeps the user locked in the current context. Ideal when you want to maintain a uni-directional flow or preserve existing page states.
- Overrides the
<base>tag's target setting, just for the kicks. - Ensures user experiences no sudden context switches, keeps it cozy and predictable.
_parent: Up the ladder
Opt for _parent when you're dealing with nested iframes and want to climb up the ladder, one step at a time. Hierarchy matters, so be sure you know where you're heading.
- Aims directly at the perceivable parent frame, ignoring any middlemen.
- Behaves like the friendly neighbour
_selfwhen there's no parent in sight.
_top: Sky is the limit!
Use _top if you want to break free from all frames and take full control of the browser window. It's your get-out-of-jail-free card for deeply nested frames!
- Ideal when full view is paramount, like when viewing a dashboard or full-screen application.
- Kicks aside all frames, even the grand ones, aiming straight for the house’s roof.
The fine points of target attributes
Navigating in modern frameworks
With HTML5, frames have given way to a "browsing context" - effectively every tab or iframe becomes a whole new world.
_blank and the safety helmet
While _blank opens a new tab or window, remember to padlock it with rel="noopener" to protect against potential hackers. Safety first!
Getting touchy with Frameset Design
If frames are a must, use custom target names to maintain smooth navigation across specific frames. Because a rose by any other name might just end up in the wrong garden.
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