JavaScript Forum

**JeremyMiller** · 06-21-2008, 06:51 PM

I've been reading up on IE 8 changes and found DOM storage. For those who are unfamiliar, here are the links for the top 2 browsers:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...62(VS.85).aspx
http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/DOM:Storage

I thought it worthwhile to start a thread and discuss views of this...

Has anyone used them?
Given that IE will only support it in IE 8 are you holding off on using this and, if so, when do you think it'd be relatively safe to use this?
What kind of backup routine(s) would one use for browsers which have not implemented support?

To start, here are my answers:

No
Not sure. I wouldn't use it now since IE 8 is still in beta, but maybe in a year? I still have people running IE 6 to cope with.
Don't understand it well enough to really comment.

**nyef** · 06-21-2008, 09:57 PM

The same functionality can be achieved now through cookies... It's just an alternative framework that makes it easier to do the job. But I hardly use cookies for anything now, and it's not because they're too complicated...

I doubt I'll even be looking at this anytime in the next 2 years between that and the backward compatibility issues.

**jimandy** · 01:50 PM

Although this topic has been dormant for awhile, I would like to revive it as I have just gotten interested in using DOM storage to hold a large list of names. The idea is to load them via php and JS then to open a new page where a JS array can be loaded from the DOM stored data. The purpose is to avoid revealing the names to someone who would see then with a View Source command if I used traditional JS to populate the array I am a Mac person and I have just downloaded FireFox 3.5(beta). Also Safari 4.0(beta). The non-beta versions do not implement DOM storage so it seems.

I am learning as I go using an example script:

Code:

<!DOCTYPE5 html>
<html>

	<head>
		<title>testDOMstorage</title>
	</head>
	<body>
<p>
  You have viewed this page
  <span id="count">an untold number of</span>
  time(s).
</p>
<script language="javascript">
  var storage = window.localStorage;
  if (!storage.pageLoadCount) storage.pageLoadCount = 0;
  storage.pageLoadCount = parseInt(storage.pageLoadCount, 10) + 1;
  document.getElementById('count').innerHTML = storage.pageLoadCount;
</script>

	</body>
</html>

Which works but leaves me puzzled as to where the stored data is on my drive. Also, I was assuming the data would not persist after closing the window but it does, and it's still there after a complete re-boot!
Obviously I have a long way to go in understanding how to use this capability but since it now available for more browser types it seems well worth learning.

PS, Thanks to Paul Davis (willcode4beer) for getting me interested in this.

**wayfarer07** · 05-28-2009, 02:25 PM

It's an interesting technology, and one that is well worth learning about, but since it isn't supported by IE7 or IE6 (still the majority of all web traffic) - it doesn't have a practical use on a large scale.

**jimandy** · 05-28-2009, 06:09 PM

I agree that it is limited in usefulness on a wide scale at this time. However, the app I am developing is for a specific group of users. Although most are PC users and probably use ie 7 (or earlier), those who elect to use my app will just have install 8 or the latest FireFox. For the folks I deal with it is not uncommon to have more than one browser resident on their PC.

**willcode4beer** · 05-28-2009, 09:36 PM

If I use it, it would be through a wrapper like dojo storage or something. That way, alternatives could be used on other platforms.

In most cases, I'll do storage on the server instead.