How do you handle deprecated features in older browsers?

There is always a degree of 'overhead' and 'reorganization' when migrating from an older system to a newer system. As more users use the newer systems, those who still rely on the older browser might be compelled to update to the newer browser.

While graceful degradation may seem like a pragmatic approach to handling deprecated features in older browsers, it raises questions about equity and accessibility on the web. By prioritizing users of modern browsers, we risk further marginalizing those who may not have the means or ability to upgrade to the latest technology. This approach perpetuates a digital divide, where those with access to the newest devices and software enjoy a superior online experience, while others are left struggling with limited functionality. Instead of merely accommodating the majority, we should strive for inclusivity by advocating for universal design principles that ensure equal access for all users, regardless of their browser or device.

Progressive Enhancement: Start with a solid foundation of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that works across all browsers. Then, progressively enhance the experience for modern browsers by adding features that may not be supported in older ones. Feature Detection: Use feature detection libraries like Modernizr to detect browser capabilities and adjust the user experience accordingly. This allows you to provide fallbacks or alternative solutions for deprecated features. Polyfills: Implement polyfills or shims for missing or deprecated features. Polyfills are JavaScript code that replicates the functionality of newer features in older browsers. Libraries like Polyfill.io automatically serve polyfills based on the browser's capabilities.

It is always important to have a clear picture of your product. What is it, what problem does it solve, who is it for? If you know that your product is for people who are good with technology and keep up in step with new trends, then it makes little sense to invest resources in supporting browsers that none of your target demographic uses anyway. This works the other way around, if you are targeting older demographics, older browsers are a must, but then, your designers should be aware of that, and you could pan features suitable for older browsers.

On the developer's point of view, around 20% of the codebase should be used to power 80% of the content; the extra content are more or less nice-to-haves.

Progressive enhancement presents itself as a user-centric solution to the challenges of browser compatibility, but it also raises concerns about the perpetuation of technological elitism. By prioritizing the lowest common denominator of browser functionality, we risk stagnating innovation and inhibiting the adoption of new web technologies. While the intent may be to ensure inclusivity, this approach can inadvertently limit the potential of web experiences for all users. Additionally, progressive enhancement may overlook the needs of users on older or less capable devices, relegating them to a perpetually basic online experience.

It doesn't take much to implement feature detection as long as the software is properly engineered, following all of the software design principles. There might be overhead since it is still an if-statement…

Feature detection undoubtedly offers a proactive solution to the challenges of browser compatibility, but it also comes with its own set of considerations. While it enables developers to create more robust and versatile web experiences, the proliferation of conditional code can lead to increased complexity and maintenance overhead. Moreover, the reliance on feature detection may inadvertently perpetuate a fragmented web ecosystem, where the user experience varies widely depending on the browser's capabilities.

Polyfills and shims undoubtedly offer a practical solution to the challenge of cross-browser compatibility, enabling developers to leverage modern web technologies without excluding users on older browsers. However, their widespread use raises concerns about the reliance on external code dependencies and potential performance implications. While polyfills can fill the gaps in browser functionality, they may introduce additional overhead, affecting page load times and overall performance.

A nice and not-so-hacky method to implement an otherwise exclusive feature! I wonder, what is the percentage of web traffic that activates polyfills?

No matter how gentle, you gotta start moving. Easy proof that you have to learn new features and technologies; computer science is an always-evolving field!

While user notification about outdated browsers can be seen as a proactive approach to encourage users to upgrade for a better browsing experience, it also poses some critical considerations. Firstly, the effectiveness of such notifications relies heavily on user behavior and responsiveness. Many users may overlook or dismiss these notifications, especially if they perceive them as intrusive or irrelevant. Moreover, for users who are unable to update due to technical constraints or personal preferences, persistent notifications can become annoying and detract from their overall browsing experience.

"How do you handle deprecated features in older browsers?" You don't. Just because someone wants to pay for a product by trading a cow doesn't mean you should accept it. The world has moved on. In the early days of web dev, supporting many browsers was a high priority mostly because there was a large difference between the supported features - today they are more in line with each other which means developers can focus on less tedious things. Making your products work on older browsers only encourages complexity in the industry and stagnates developments in web development. Remove support for old browsers and the users will learn to upgrade and you can focus on building an exceptional (and modern) user experience.

Using service workers and APIs that are part of the Progressive Web App (PWA) specification can help manage caching, background data sync & push notifications in a way that does not rely on the browser's traditional capabilities. In developing a PWA for a news outlet, we used service workers to manage offline capabilities and push notifications, features that older browsers do not support natively. For users with capable browsers, the PWA provided a robust, app-like experience. Older browser users still accessed the core functionalities without the progressive enhancements, maintaining accessibility while offering advanced features to others.