A toggle is a switch that allows a user to change the state of a feature or option. Toggles are common in software, computing, and programming to allow users to control settings and modes of operation. They are also commonly used for creating responsive designs in web development by allowing users to select different display options based on the size of their screen or device.
When designing toggle buttons, it is important to consider the UI guidelines for accessibility and WCAG compliance. Toggle buttons should not rely on color alone to convey meaning; this violates WCAG 1.4.1, which states that “no element should rely solely on colour to convey information.” Instead, use clear, descriptive text that clearly indicates the current state of the toggle. Additionally, it is best to avoid using purely binary indicators like on and off. This can be confusing for users and may make them feel like they are making a wrong choice. Instead, use more complex visual cues that indicate a transition in state, such as the addition or removal of a icon.
Toggles are an effective tool for supporting agile development practices. They enable dev teams to release features that are still under active development without having to merge the code into trunk. This reduces the amount of work that would be necessary to complete a testing and QA cycle under more traditional waterfall development models. It is important to only use feature toggles as a temporary solution and to prune them once they are no longer needed. Otherwise, an accumulation of idle toggles can cause confusion for users and increase the administrative burden on your team.
As with other UI components, it is essential to test your toggles before deploying them in production. This can help to identify potential issues before they become a major problem for your users. It is also a good idea to include a short explanation of how the toggle works in your documentation, especially for new team members.
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