spacer
Yehuda Shiran December 22, 2000
The Document's Root Node
Tips: December 2000

Yehuda Shiran, Ph.D.
Doc JavaScript

Developer News
Microsoft Shows Off Silverlight 4, IE9 Plans
Metasploit Expands Vulnerability Test Framework
HyperCard Reborn?

The document object is the root node of the document DOM tree. But this node is treated differently in Netscape 6 and Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer does not support any DOM properties of the document object. You will get undefined as a response for such queries. All inquiries should be directed at document.documentElement instead. Its nodeName is HTML, and its nodeType is 1 (a tag). Netscape 6, on the other hand, supports the DOM properties of the document object. If you try to query document.nodeName, you will get #document. Its node type will be 9. In fact, its only child is the HTML tag node. Try printing its nodeName. Internet Explorer does not support this direct relationship between the document object and the HTML tag.

The code in this tip can be viewed only by Netscape 6.

Learn more about the DOM in Columns 40, The DOM, Part I: Analysis, through Column 47, A DOM-Based Snakes Game, Part II.


People who read this tip also read these tips:

Look for similar tips by subject:

internet.commediabistro.comJusttechjobs.comGraphics.com

Search:

WebMediaBrands Corporate Info

Legal Notices, Licensing, Permissions, Privacy Policy.
Advertise | Newsletters | Shopping | E-mail Offers | Freelance Jobs

webref The latest from WebReference.com Browse >
Rolling Out Your Own HTML Application Version Control · HTML 5: Client-side Storage · Working with Ajax Server Extensions
Sitemap · Experts · Tools · Services · Email a Colleague · Contact FREE Newsletters 
 The latest from internet.com
Wi-Fi Product Watch, November 2009 · Chip Market Recovering From '08 Collapse · Low-Cost Tools to Kickstart Your New Business