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htmlonclickhref

When to use onclick in HTML?


HI,

For a tag, you can execute javascript through href or onclick.

When should I use onclick instead of href?

for me, only advantage I get with onclick is that you can hide javascript function name and parameters from your visitors.


Solution

  • Ideally you won't use either. Ideally your link is a normal hyperlink with an href value referencing a fragment (#foo) or URL. Ideally the link would just work as-is without Javascript, too.

    You'd then use unobtrusive Javascript that attaches itself to links or other DOM elements as needed and only if Javascript is available:

    <a href="/some/action" id="foobar">Do some action!</a>
    
    <script type="text/javascript">
        document.getElementById('foobar').addEventListener('click', function () {
            // do something
        }, false);
    </script>