Smaller ExtJS without IE6 support

[devtig]

Google's annoucement about dropping support for IE6 got me thinking. How much smaller in size would Ext Core get if you would remove all code that's only needed for IE6 compatibility?

Or, is it too early for dropping IE6 support?

Or, are there other browser that costs more Ext code supporting it?

[aconran]

We have no intentions of dropping support for IE6 at this time.

All browsers have their own issues and our aim is to provide a foundation where developers don't need to worry about the browser being used.

[devtig]

I can imagine. You need to compete with other JS frameworks. When did Ext drop support for IE5.5(sp2)?

[evanc]

a quick grep of the source shows only one IE6 specific fix:

    // remove css image flicker
    if(isIE6){
        try{
            DOC.execCommand("BackgroundImageCache", false, true);
        }catch(e){}
    }

I don't think that Ext ever explicitly supported IE5.5.

[danh2000]

a quick grep of the source shows only one IE6 specific fix:

    // remove css image flicker
    if(isIE6){
        try{
            DOC.execCommand("BackgroundImageCache", false, true);
        }catch(e){}
    }

I don't think that Ext ever explicitly supported IE5.5.

The CSS files have a lot more IE specifics.

[jheid]

I hope that ExtJS will continue to support IE 6 for some time.

One of my customers still uses the IE 6 and there's no timeframe of changing that. Many huge companies still uses the IE 6 and the normal worker don't have the right to use another browser. This effect can be seens in the statistics as the usage of old browsers decreases on the evening and weekends when people uses their private computers.

[devtig]

I know, some clients of ours also use IE6. Still the discussion could be interesting depending on what reduction in code size for Ext js we are talking about. Is it 20%?

Consider this, why do 98% of your visitors need to experience a slower framework due to Ext js code to support a browser that the other 2% has. Why not only include the Ext js code needed to support IE6 when that's the browser visiting the Ext js based website?


Or am I being to theoretical about this one...

[jay@moduscreate.com]

As long as IE6 is listed as a supported browser, then I think most companies will continue to support it as well.

[evanc]

The CSS files have a lot more IE specifics.

What CSS files? He's talking about Ext Core.

[Mike Robinson]

Individual users often upgrade quickly to the latest and greatest, but within corporations (those whose IT departments have any wits about them, anyway), users do not have the power to change anything. Every unit is deployed in exactly the same way, from the same "mirror" DVD, which wipes the sucker clean and installs a brand new world on it. If there is no material advantage to "changing the mix," it probably won't change; maybe not for years.

And that is gonna be ExtJS's world, methinks.