Progressive Enhancement in Web Development

What is Progressive Enhancement?

Progressive enhancement is a web development strategy that emphasizes core webpage content first, providing a basic level of user experience across all browsers and devices, while enhancing it with more advanced functionalities for capable browsers.

Key Principles

• Start with a solid foundation: Ensure basic content is accessible to all users.
• Layer enhancements: Add features and improvements that enhance the user experience on modern browsers.
• Focus on content: Prioritize content delivery over presentation.

Implementing Progressive Enhancement

Step-by-Step Process

1. Structure your HTML for semantic meaning.
2. Add CSS for styling (ensure a base style is applied).
3. Implement JavaScript for enhanced functionality.
            

Example Code

<div class="swf-lsn-example">
    <h1>Welcome to Progressive Enhancement!</h1>
    <p>This is basic content that all users can see.</p>
    <script>
        // Enhanced functionality for modern browsers
        document.querySelector('h1').textContent += ' Enjoy enhanced features!';
    </script>
</div>

Best Practices

• Test your site in various browsers and devices.
• Use feature detection instead of browser detection.
• Keep accessibility in mind at every stage.
• Consider mobile-first design as part of your strategy.

FAQ