Web Discussions [Focused Discussion]: Cutting-edge or standards-based Web programming?Collapse

In the world of programming, there is often a dichotomy between Web programmers advocating cutting-edge techniques and those supporting well-established standards. To the former, new techniques may represent greater possibilities. Looking at the programming field as a whole, new programming techniques could mean better compression, new functions for interactive Web features, more display possibilities, etc.

That may seem well and good, but now consider the perspective of programmers preferring standards. Remember that no matter how advanced cutting-edge techniques seem, they are only as good as the browser that can interpret the code. You can have the best coding techniques in the world, but if the browser used by the end user does not support it (and therefore cannot read it), then your page will not be viewed as intended.

Of course, these examples only mark some of the points made on both sides of this cutting-edge vs. standards-based Web programming debate. For this Discussion, you are tasked with taking this argument further as you compare the merits of both sides of this dichotomy.

To complete this Discussion:

Post: Create an initial post in which you take a position on using cutting-edge Web programming techniques or standards-based Web programming techniques. Compare the merits and weaknesses of programmers using cutting-edge techniques with those using well-established standards with widespread browser support. Based on your comparison, explain which approach you think is better. Be sure to justify any choices, assumptions, or claims that you make using the suggested Learning Resources for this week and/or your own research.