ArticleZip > Window Location Origin Gives Wrong Value When Using Ie

Window Location Origin Gives Wrong Value When Using Ie

When you are developing a web application, dealing with different browser behaviors is a common challenge. One issue that web developers might encounter is the incorrect value returned by the "window.location.origin" property when using Internet Explorer. Let's dive into understanding this problem and explore how to address it effectively.

Internet Explorer has its quirks, particularly when it comes to handling certain JavaScript properties. The "window.location.origin" property is used to retrieve the protocol, hostname, and port number of a URL. However, in Internet Explorer, there is a known bug where this property does not return the expected value, leading to inconsistencies in your application's behavior.

To overcome this issue, you can implement a workaround by creating a custom function that replicates the functionality of "window.location.origin" in Internet Explorer. Here's a simple JavaScript function that you can use:

Javascript

function getLocationOrigin() {
    if (!window.location.origin) {
        window.location.origin = window.location.protocol + "//" + window.location.hostname + (window.location.port ? ':' + window.location.port : '');
    }
    return window.location.origin;
}

By using this custom function, you can ensure that your web application retrieves the correct origin value across different browsers, including Internet Explorer. Simply call "getLocationOrigin()" in place of "window.location.origin" to maintain consistency in your code.

Additionally, it's essential to consider compatibility with older versions of Internet Explorer. If your target audience includes users on outdated IE versions, testing thoroughly and applying appropriate polyfills or workarounds is crucial to ensure a seamless user experience.

Another approach to address the incorrect "window.location.origin" value in Internet Explorer is to use feature detection. By checking if the property exists and behaves as expected, you can conditionally handle the discrepancy without affecting other browsers' functionality. Here's an example of how you can perform feature detection:

Javascript

if (!window.location.origin || window.location.origin === "null") {
    // Handle the issue for Internet Explorer
}

This conditional check allows you to detect the specific case of Internet Explorer and execute alternative logic to retrieve the correct origin information when needed.

In conclusion, while encountering issues with browser compatibility is an inherent part of web development, knowing how to tackle them effectively is key to delivering a robust and reliable web application. By implementing the suggested solutions and considering the nuances of Internet Explorer's behavior, you can ensure your code functions smoothly across various browsers, including older versions that might exhibit discrepancies like the incorrect "window.location.origin" value.

×