Simple HTML question

[basil]

This is really an HTML question, but I know if I use an HTML tage like <A HREF='../'>Home</A> it will allow me to return to my index page. But is there a similar code for HTML instead of ../ that will allow a person to return to the previous page, no matter which page called the current page:

<A HREF='what goes here'>Previous Page</A>

I thought there was a way to do this but can't rememebr what it is. Any help is appreciated.

Basil

[leatherback]

Well, not pure html:
javascript:history.back()

[basil]

Originally posted by leatherback
Well, not pure html:
javascript:history.back()

Thanks, I may use that if I can't figure out the HTML method (if there is one). I thought there was a was to do this with an <A HREF='something'> tag.

Basil

[leatherback]

Ok, let me try again:

you cannot do it with pure HTML, but this works with javascript:
<a href = "javascript:history.back()"> Go back </a>

[segdeha]

The JavaScript method mentioned above will work for many users, but is not considered accessible for people with disabilities because of its reliance on client-side scripting.

With PHP, you can create a simple "back" link using the following code:

<?php

echo "<a href=\"";
echo $_SERVER['HTTP_REFERER'];
echo "\">back</a>";

?>

This will work for more users, even those who disable JavaScript out of security concerns or to get rid of annoying pop-up windows (globally about 10% of users).

Cheers!
-Andrew

[Pig]

It will take you to the previous page, but it will NOT function as back button. Going back will preserve your history and will also preserve form data.

A better solution is a combiniation of the two:

<a href="<?php echo($_SERVER['HTTP_REFERER']); ?>" onClick="javascript:history.back()">Go back</a>

*edit: The advantage to this system, is that js users will get the back button effect, and those with it off will get a link to the previous page.

[Moonglobe]

i dont think the javascript: is necessary in the onclick....

[Pig]

That's true. I think every browser has javascript as the default.

[pyro]

Especially if you were to set the default script type to text/javascript, which probably should be done, as with inline JavaScript, you can't set the type.

<meta http-equiv="content-script-type" content="text/javascript" />

[testebr]

in my opinion the perfect code is:

<a href="<?php echo($_SERVER['HTTP_REFERER']); ?>" onClick="history.back()">Go back</a>

😉

[LeZeNkO]

The <a href = "javascript:history.back()"> Go back </a> command is probabbly more effecient than the <a href='/index.php'> Index/ Go back </a>

Especially whilst using sessions in PHP

[testebr]

this link has the problem if the person will be opening in a new window only link of the page, then when on click she will not go to return for page some since she does not have to referrer

[Moonglobe]

why would there ever be more than one window open for a user on one site? i can't stand opening new windows on internal links. i don't see it as very nice.

[pyro]

Nor does the WCAG: http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10/wai-pageauth.html#tech-avoid-pop-ups