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This is more of a business / ethics type of question that incorporates programming principles. So I as a developer will be selling a database driven web application to a local college university. I am currently working on the program and I coming up across a couple issues that would be easily worked with using javascript.

Now I know some people do not use javascript at all so I wanted to know would forcing the usage of javascript (for the user interface only not the sites functionality) be wrong in an ethical / professional / business aspect? - I can't really find much information on this.

My way of thinking about it is, that since it is a intranet application that the college is actively wanting and understand the features that come with the application it shouldn't be a problem right?

I just want to state that currently the app is not intensively javascript, but a lot of things that would be "easier" with javascript or just make the UI look better are not there. I also want to stress that the functionality will be PHP based and not dependent on Jquery.

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migrated from stackoverflow.com Nov 21 '13 at 17:46

This question came from our site for professional and enthusiast programmers.
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You say this is to a "local college university" - are they mandated to certain principles as the ADA - and have to answer the correct way to all of the checklist? –  MichaelT Nov 21 '13 at 17:51
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No it would not be wrong, many websites today requires javascript, but as this is something you're selling to a customer, only the customer can really answer wether or not a javascript requirement would be OK. –  adeneo Nov 21 '13 at 17:53
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Who's to say none of their employees is impaired nor will be in the future? –  Mathletics Nov 21 '13 at 18:06
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What are the requirements of the client? –  MichaelT Nov 21 '13 at 18:08
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You need to ask this of the client and mention to them considerations such as screen readers and users who disable Javascript by choice; we can't make the decision for them. –  user16764 Nov 21 '13 at 18:12

2 Answers 2

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The only ethical considerations that I can think of are those relating to accessibility, for which there might even be legal implications.

Otherwise, it's just a choice, as is the choice of some users deciding not to use your software because you forced them to use Javascript.

That said, students are generally tech-savvy enough that the overwhelming majority of them should already be using Javascript.

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There are business reasons:

  • You may block certain users who are using devices to deal with a disability. This has ethical implications as it can be seen as discriminating against certain groups. This can become a political hot potato in an educational environment.
  • In some jurisdictions, there may be legal requirements to meet accessibility standards. Requiring Javascript to use the site will likely violate those requirements. Educational institutions are very likely to be covered by such regulations. Contact your state and national governments for information on the applicable regulations.
  • Due to the use of Javascript to hack the user's browser and system, there are users who disable Javascript. If you are using Javascript to work around a technical problem, you are breaking their experience. Some portion of your students are likely tech-savvy enough to disable Javascript.

My general recommendation is to provide a basic but full functionality without Javascript. Use Javascript to enhance the interface in the user's browser. For an example of what I mean visit any of the big sites with a text based browser such as W3m, Links, or Lynx.

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