htc files: Why not to use them?

Question

I am developing a web application that aims to give a desktop feeling for the end user. That means I need a cross-browser feeling to the application (who doesn't? eheh).

So, I found about .htc files, for working around some IE tweaks (doesn't support border-radius yet, for example). My doubt is: Why isn't everyone using them? Does it come with some problems I am ignoring? From the place I am seeing, it appears to be almost the holy grail for the front-end programmers...

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 02 '10 at 13:53

6

Quoting Wikipedia:

HTML Components (HTCs) are a nonstandard mechanism to implement components in script as Dynamic HTML (DHTML) "behaviors"[1] in the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser. Such files typically use an .htc extension.

An HTC is typically an HTML file (with JScript / VBScript) and a set of elements that define the component. This helps to organize behavior encapsulated script modules that can be attached to parts of a Webpage DOM.

In two paragraphs, the following are mentioned:

Internet Explorer
JScript
VBScript
nonstandard

I think it's obvious why not everybody is using this technology.

answered Dec 02 '10 at 13:53

darioo

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How is this any different from using non standard extentions such -moz or -webkit? – Phaedrus Jul 30 '12 at 13:07
Because nonstandard CSS prefixes like -moz or -webkit don't break the entire application if you try to use it in other browsers than IE. HTC only works in IE... – Doug Nov 16 '12 at 20:55
@Doug So what's the problem? – frnhr Feb 10 '13 at 12:15

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:55

How to use border-radius.htc with IE to make rounded corners

The server has to server the HTC with the correct MIME type (text/x-component)

That alone is enough to stop JavaScript frameworks such as jQuery or MooTools from being able to use them. The dependency on configuring anything a server in order to get client-side functionality working is beyond unacceptable.

It's a real pity though, htc files really are capable of a lot of interesting things.

htc files: Why not to use them?

2 Answers2

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