A toggle is a type of switch that has two possible states: on and off. It is commonly used in software to switch between two views or settings, but it can also be used as a fastener in hardware, like on a coat button.
The word toggle can be traced back to the 18th century, when it was used for a pin that passed through the eye of a rope to bind or fasten. It is still used today for this purpose.
Toggle – A Simple and Effective Control
When you need to make changes to the state of a system, a toggle is an excellent choice. It takes less space than a radio button and provides immediate results.
Labels & Color – Good labels help users understand the toggle and its function. They should be short and direct, and should contain only one or two words — preferably nouns — that describe what the toggle controls.
Use high-contrast colors to signal a change in state, and ensure that the toggle is visually visible. Avoid using colors that are neutral or ambiguous.
Consider using an animation when it’s necessary to display the state of a toggle in a timely manner. This will minimize any possible delays and increase the likelihood that the user is able to see the change in real-time.
It’s also a good idea to include a text field on the form when you use a toggle. This will make it easier for users to enter new information or update existing data.
Toggle – A Quick Switch Edit Mode
When it comes to article content, the use of collapsible toggles or accordions can be helpful. These controls can be especially useful when you have lengthy articles that require readers to scroll down the page to view or interact with specific content.
Adding a toggle to each article is also a good way to ensure that readers can find all of the relevant content on an article. This can help them to read and learn more quickly, which can lead to a higher readership.
Toggle – An Easy Way to Add an Attribute
The ability to add or remove an attribute is another feature that is often requested by editors. Rather than requiring users to click Save or Confirm, it’s better to add a toggle that allows them to select the type of attribute they want to enable or disable.
Release Toggles – Transitionary by Nature
A toggle configured to remain On for a period of time is considered a Release Toggle. They should not stick around for much longer than a week or two, although product-centric toggles may need to stay in place for a longer period.
A common challenge that teams face is the need to test toggle configuration changes prior to rolling them out into production. This can be especially challenging when feature flag systems do not support runtime configuration. This can have a significant impact on the cycle time of the testing process and negatively affects the feedback loop that CI/CD provides.