JavaScript Examples Bible - UserWorks Technologies

Body Text
Objects
(Chapter 19)
The subject of body text objects encompasses both HTML
element objects and several abstract DOM objects that
make it easier for scripts to manipulate text-oriented body
content that may not be contained within its own element tag.
While the HTML element objects are easy to grasp, the
abstract objects that work with stretches of visible body text
have their own vocabularies and peculiarities.
Many HTML element objects in this category may become
obsolete when the installed base of browsers capable of supporting
Cascading Style Sheets reaches critical mass. CSS
adherents would much rather use style sheets for font specifications
in place of the old-fashioned tag. But other
elements in this group, such as the header elements (H1, H2,
and so on), provide context for content that scripts may find
useful for tasks such as creating a table of contents on the fly.
More intriguing is the concept of a text range, which is
essentially an object that represents an arbitrary series of text
characters within a document. A text ranges can work within
an element (or text node) or extend beyond element borders,
just as if a user selected a bunch of text that includes portions
of what are HTML elements behind the scenes.
Unfortunately for scripters, the vocabulary for text range
manipulation is very different for the IE4+/Windows and W3C
object models. Moreover, the two objects do not always share
the same functionality, making it even more difficult to program
cross-browser implementations using text ranges. Be
alert to the compatibility ratings for each example before trying
out a listing or step-by-step sequence.
5
C H A P T E R
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
In This Chapter
Using the NN Range
and IE TextRange
objects
Working with text
selections
Scripting search and
replace actions
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦