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This article explains the concept of Baseline, which helps developers assess browser support for web features. It highlights Baseline's limitations and ongoing efforts to improve its usefulness, especially regarding accessibility and compatibility with various browsers.
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Baseline is gaining traction in the web development community, acting as a shorthand for feature support across major browsers. It categorizes features into three statuses: Not Baseline, Newly Available, and Widely Available. While this makes it easier for developers to assess browser compatibility, it has limitations. For instance, Baseline doesn't consider all browser versions, ignores accessibility issues, and doesn't clarify when it's safe to use features that aren't widely supported yet.
The WebDX group, which originated Baseline, acknowledges these shortcomings. They aim to refine the system by incorporating user feedback and exploring ways to integrate accessibility data. Collaborations, like the one with Lola Odelola on the Accessibility Compat Data project, are in place to address these concerns. Developers can also look forward to tools that will help map features to polyfills and best practices, making it easier to adopt new features safely.
Currently, Baseline considers support from Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but this may be too narrow for some projects. The group is evaluating the inclusion of other browsers and versions to better serve developers. Tools like the Google Analytics Baseline Checker can provide insights into how many users might be covered based on their browsing habits. In summary, while Baseline offers a straightforward way to gauge feature availability, developers need to remain vigilant about its limitations and consider additional factors before making decisions.
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