Quote:
The current Standards for HTML 4.01 as published by the W3C does not include target="_blank" or any other form of targetting for any link that is not inside a frameset. Target= is part of frameset standards - the fact that it has worked in non-frames pages in earlier browsers and with earlier DTD's should not be basis for determining the attribute can still be used with current standards.
When you click a link with target in it, browser opens a new window and frame, and a the target name is assigned to the frame, except if the target name is a reserved name (e.g. _blank, etc.).
But let's see what the standard says:
http://www.w3.org/...frames.html#h-16.3.2 Quote:
16.3.2 Target semantics
...
4. If any target attribute refers to an unknown frame F, the user agent should create a new window and frame, assign the name F to the frame, and load the resource designated by the element in the new frame.
Furthermore:
http://www.w3.org/...ml#type-frame-target Quote:
6.16 Frame target names
...
The following target names are reserved and have special meanings:
_blank
The user agent should load the designated document in a new, unnamed window.
_self
The user agent should load the document in the same frame as the element that refers to this target.
_parent
The user agent should load the document into the immediate FRAMESET parent of the current frame. This value is equivalent to _self if the current frame has no parent.
_top
The user agent should load the document into the full, original window (thus canceling all other frames). This value is equivalent to _self if the current frame has no parent.
Quote:
16.3 Specifying target frame information
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By assigning a name to a frame via the name attribute, authors can refer to it as the "target" of links defined by other elements. The target attribute may be set for elements that create links (A, LINK), image maps (AREA), and forms (FORM).
Please consult the section on target frame names for information about recognized frame names.
Quote:
Non-frame documents using a current doctype and containing a target= attribute on a tags will cause browsers to revert to quirks mode
Yes, this is true, as shown on the following page.
http://www.w3.org/...ndex/attributes.html Quote:
Name Related Elements Type Default Depr. DTD Comment
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target A, AREA, BASE, FORM, LINK %FrameTarget; #IMPLIED L render in this frame
...
Legend: Deprecated, Loose DTD, Frameset DTD
Altough HTML 4.01 Strict DTD doesn't allow target="_blank" in link, but you can still use HTML 4.01 Transitional DTD.
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There are no guarantees that future browsers will allow this fallback to something else provision.
Nothing is guaranteed :-)
There is no guarantee, that future browsers in 2050 will use HTML at all :-)
But, trust me, this feature will be not removed from browsers for a long time :)
It is a traditional feature, and will be always supported in quirks mode.
Best regards,
Webmaster33
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