What's the point of ``?

Impact of the type attribute

In HTML, <button> is an adaptable yet ambiguous element without the type attribute. If type="button" is present, the button assumes an interactive role without participating in form submissions. Conversely, an unspecified type or type="submit" can inadvertantly engage form submission.

The habitual practice of detailing a button's type results in clearer code semantics and improved maintainability, easing your code comprehension and debugging process.

Design flexibility and style conflict prevention

The use of <button type="button"> gives you a customizable control untouched by any browser's default behaviors. It provides a clean slate for interactive design, optimal for triggering custom scripts without modifying data.

Moreover, it's recommended to steer clear of styling rules with attribute selectors like [type=button] as it could lead to specificity issues and unexpected styling when the type changes or goes missing.

Specification as a best practice

Always specifying the button type in your HTML is more than just a necessary measure—it's a professional coding habit that ensures consistent behavior across browsers and prevents unwanted form submissions. This detail-oriented approach translates into more controlled and predictable user experiences, leading to superior web applications.

Visualization

Imagine <button type="button"> as a remote control button within the HTML world:

------------------
| 🖥️ Monitor      |
| (The HTML Page) |
------------------

🖱️ [Submit Button]
🔘 [Button Type]

[🔲] <-- Here resides your `<button type="button">`

When pressed:

🖱️ Submit Button -> Activates form submission 🔄
🔘 Button Type -> Does absolutely nothing 🚫

<button type="button"> plays the part of a silent switch, content until you associate it with an explicit action using JavaScript.

Behavior of buttons: differentiating types

If you omit specifying the type

• Form submission: An unidentified button within a form will submit the whole form.
• JavaScript interaction: You would need to invoke event.preventDefault() in your script to counter the default action, complicating the script.

type="submit" versus type="button"

• Use <button type="submit"> when the objective is to submit a form.
• <button type="button"> is preferred when the goal is to trigger JavaScript functions without initiating form submission.

HTML5 specification and its defaults

The HTML5 specification states that when you don't specify a type value, it defaults to a "Submit Button" state. This fact underlines the need to explicitly define your button's type.

Semantic clarity

By using type="button", you inform other developers that this button is doing something other than data submission, ensuring easier understanding of its role without delving into JavaScript.

ARIA and Accessibility

Accessibility considerations also play a significant part. While a <button> is naturally seen as an accessible element, defining type="button" aligns the button's behavior with its ARIA role. This alignment diminishes any confusion users might have when interacting with assistive technologies, leading to more accessible web content.