javascript - JS: How to make document.getElementById cross-browser?

Question

document.getElementById doesn't seem to work across all browsers (I mean some old ones) and I am sure there are developers who are not aware of this.

What solutions would you suggest to make it cross-browser?

Thanks

Answer 1

If document.getElementById doesn't work then either:

• You're doing it wrong (invalid HTML, trying to access names instead of IDs, etc)

or

• You're working with Netscape 4.x and Internet Explorer 4.x

There are three ways to deal with browsers of this era.

• Tell people to upgrade. They are unmaintained, security hole ridden nightmares for user and author alike.
• Build on stuff that works and make sure your JS checks for the existence of getElementById and friends before trying to use them ( if (!document.getElementById) { return false; /* Insufficient DOM to bother with JS here */ } )
• Learn about document.all and document.layers