Javascript and issues

This is the most controversial of my selections because Javascript is more often used for good than evil.

The Number One problem with JS is security. Many of the browser exploits— especially with Internet Explorer— can be traced to JavaScript. Microsoft’s solution to many security holes is to “turn off scripting” (Javascript).

The second problem is JS bloats up your page. My home page goes from 31,803 bytes to 71,488 because of the Javascript I’ve added to track visitors to my page and what they do. Then, there’s the issue of all those ads on this site. They’re run by JS. No ads, no money. The benefits make Javascript so wonderful, but there’s a cost. I know, I know. I’m getting a lot of benefit out of JS, which brings me to the last problem.

The third problem comes from JS conflict. So many JS programs say they want to be the last item before the BODY tag. Who wins? Does it make a difference? Then there’s the problem of other JS programs in the HEAD of the page. Most of us don’t write JS so we cut and paste elements from scripting sites. I have had conflicts and it takes forever to find the problem when you’re not the programmer.