Despite the dominance of modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, Internet Explorer (IE) still lingers in specific enterprise environments and legacy systems. Due to its well-known drawbacks and security flaws, organizations must ensure that online applications are compatible with Internet Explorer. Preserving compatibility is essential to guarantee smooth access to web apps for people who still use Internet Explorer online. Ignoring Internet Explorer throughout the testing process may result in problems with functionality and a bad user experience for users who are still dependent on it.

There are distinct issues associated with testing legacy browsers, especially Internet Explorer, which call specific strategies. With IE no longer receiving updates and support from Microsoft, the importance of rigorous testing to identify and address potential issues has only increased. In this article, we’ll explore practical strategies and tools for testing web applications on Internet Explorer, ensuring they perform optimally even on this legacy browser. 

Dealing with Common Issues in Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer (IE) has always been associated with quite a number of issues and peculiarities that unfortunately cause a great deal of problems for developers and users. While IE no longer dominates the market, many corporations and older systems continue to use it, so it is crucial to learn how to solve some of the most common issues that come up. Comprehending these problems can facilitate efficient troubleshooting and guarantee seamless operation of your web apps on Internet Explorer. 

Inconsistent CSS Rendering

Because of its infamously erratic CSS rendering, Internet Explorer is often used to create severe layout and stylistic problems that are not seen in other browsers. For instance, characteristics such as CSS Grid and flexbox could not work as intended, resulting in items that are not aligned correctly or with inappropriate spacing. Furthermore, developers must create additional styles or use conditional comments to handle IE’s incompatibilities with complex CSS selectors and pseudo-elements. These discrepancies necessitate extensive testing and occasionally the usage of polyfills or fallbacks to make sure that the design is maintained across all browsers. 

JavaScript Compatibility

Modern web development relies heavily on JavaScript. However, Internet Explorer’s outdated JavaScript engine frequently has trouble with the more recent capabilities and syntax added in ECMAScript 6 (ES6) and later. In older versions of IE, functions such as let, const, arrow functions, and Promises might not function as intended or might not be supported at all. Because of this incompatibility, using polyfills, transpilers like Babel, or different coding techniques is necessary to make sure that scripts run smoothly on IE. JavaScript development might be made more difficult by IE-specific defects, which developers need to be aware of. These bugs include problems with event handling and asynchronous operations.

Lack of Support for Modern Web Standards

The fact that Internet Explorer does not support many modern web standards is one of its biggest problems. In Internet Explorer, features like CSS Grid, Flexbox, and even specific HTML5 components are either not supported or poorly implemented. This lack of compatibility may result in malfunctioning functionality, broken layouts, and a poor user experience for visitors using Internet Explorer to see your website. The complexity and upkeep of the codebase are increased when developers have to design alternate layouts utilizing outdated CSS approaches or provide fallback content for HTML5 features. 

Security Vulnerabilities

Due to Internet Explorer’s lengthy history of security flaws, users may be subject to several risks such as malware, phishing attacks, and illegal access to confidential information. The fact that Microsoft no longer provides as much maintenance or updates for Internet Explorer raises even more concerns about these vulnerabilities. Additional security features such as strict enforcement of CSPs, the implementation of secure cookies, and periodic security checkups are necessary for sites that still must work on Internet Explorer. Internet users should be informed of the risks of using outdated browsers such as Internet Explorer. 

Performance Issues

Another area where Internet Explorer is inferior to more recent browsers is performance. Because IE still uses the outdated Trident rendering engine, it is less effective and causes slower page loads, laggy interactions, and higher memory usage. The user experience may suffer as a result of these performance problems, particularly for web applications that primarily rely on JavaScript and dynamic content. To boost performance, developers may need to optimize their code specifically for Internet Explorer. It may involve simplifying scripts, using fewer animations, and, when feasible, utilizing server-side rendering.

 

Cross-Browser Inconsistencies

Inconsistencies among different browsers are a common problem while using Internet Explorer. In contrast to contemporary browsers that follow web standards more closely, Internet Explorer frequently interprets HTML, CSS, and JavaScript differently, which can result in unexpected behavior and display problems. Elements may render differently in IE than in other browsers for a variety of reasons, such as variations in box models, default styles, and how certain events are handled. It is especially apparent when contrasting the behaviors of  IE with modern browsers like Microsoft Edge Online, where adherence to standards is more consistent.

 

Limited Developer Tools

Comparing Internet Explorer’s developer tools to those of more recent browsers like Chrome and Firefox, they are noticeably less sophisticated. Because of this restriction, debugging and testing become more difficult because IE’s tools are devoid of many things that developers need, like network speed analysis, live-style editing, and thorough JavaScript debugging. The slower and less user-friendly nature of IE’s tools can also significantly extend the time it takes to find and resolve problems. When debugging IE, developers frequently have to use third-party tools or outdated debugging methods to solve issues. 

Importance of Legacy Browser Testing

Testing web apps for legacy browsers is essential to make sure they continue to work and be accessible on all platforms, including those with outdated browsers like Internet Explorer. Even with the broad acceptance of contemporary browsers, a sizable portion of users, particularly in specialized industries and geographical areas, remain dependent on legacy browsers because of compatibility needs, outdated systems, or organizational rules. Ignoring these browsers during testing might cause serious usability problems, alienate some users, and even result in financial losses. Developers can guarantee that their applications operate consistently and offer a seamless experience to all users, irrespective of the browser they use, by carrying out comprehensive testing for outdated browsers.

Also, adhering to contractual responsibilities and upholding industry standards depend on legacy browser testing. Many firms have service agreements that oblige them to support older browsers, especially those in the government, healthcare, and financial sectors. Maintaining compatibility with these browsers is essential for maintaining your application’s dependability and credibility with partners and clients, as well as for maintaining functionality. Keeping a thorough and inclusive approach to browser testing can help your company stand out in an increasingly competitive market by showcasing your dedication to quality and user experience across all devices. 

Strategies for Effective Legacy Browser Testing

The particular issues that come with testing for older browsers, such as Internet Explorer, can make the work seem overwhelming. Modern web standards are frequently not supported by these browsers, so you’ll need to use specific techniques to make sure your web apps work as intended. It’s crucial to use a set of targeted strategies that address particular traits and challenges of legacy browsers to overcome these difficulties. Below are some key strategies that can help streamline the testing process and ensure comprehensive coverage. 

Use Virtual Machines or Emulators

Use browser emulators or virtual machines to build environments that imitate older browsers, such as Internet Explorer. You may test your online apps without requiring outdated software or real hardware by using tools like Microsoft’s IE Mode in Edge or browser testing services. 

Implement Conditional Comments

Conditional comments are compatible with Internet Explorer. They let you apply certain CSS or JavaScript only when the website is viewed with IE. By using this method, you may fix IE-specific bugs without changing the codebase for other browsers as a whole, guaranteeing a consistent platform user experience. 

Utilize Polyfills and Shims

Scripts like polyfills and shims are used to provide contemporary features to outdated browsers that do not support the latest web standards. These tools help you to ensure that your web apps function correctly across all platforms by bridging the gap between legacy browser limitations and contemporary JavaScript features. 

Prioritize Progressive Enhancement

Start with a simple, functioning version of your website while designing and developing it so that it functions in all browsers, including outdated ones. Add further features and improvements that are compatible with current browsers after that. This strategy, referred to as progressive enhancement, guarantees that users with older browsers can still access critical features. 

Conduct Regular Cross-Browser Testing

Integrate cross-browser testing into your development workflow regularly. Test your web apps frequently on a variety of browsers, including older ones, to identify possible problems before they become serious. This procedure can be streamlined with the use of automated testing tools, which will make it simpler to find and address compatibility issues before they have an impact on users. LambdaTest is a cross-browser testing platform that is cloud-based and provides an extensive feature set.

With LambdaTest, you can test your web apps across a range of operating systems and browser combinations, including older iterations of Internet Explorer. Its automated snapshot tools and real-time testing capabilities enable prompt identification of layout and functionality problems, guaranteeing that your application runs constantly on all platforms. LambdaTest may be integrated into your testing workflow to improve cross-browser testing and provide a more dependable user experience. 

Monitor Usage Analytics

Track the browsers that members of your audience are using with web analytics. Give testing and support for those systems top priority if you observe that a sizable percentage of users continue to use outdated browsers. This data-driven strategy makes sure that you focus your resources where they are most needed, optimizing the user experience for your actual audience. 

Create and Use Browser-Specific Stylesheets

Create distinct CSS stylesheets just for older browsers to address the particular rendering problems they have. You can fix layout and design issues without changing the primary stylesheet used by newer browsers by separating styles for older browsers. This method assists you in managing compatibility with legacy systems while preserving consistency in design. 

Perform User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

Use actual people who utilize outdated browsers to access your application during user acceptability testing. Getting input from real users makes it easier to find real-world problems that automated testing could miss. For individuals who still use older browser versions, our hands-on method guarantees a pleasant and functional user experience.

 Conclusion

Ensuring compatibility with legacy browsers like Internet Explorer is a critical aspect of maintaining a web application’s accessibility and functionality. Although they have certain drawbacks, numerous people, including corporations and individuals, successfully work with older versions of browsers, so developers must tackle the problems encountered while using them. By implementing effective testing strategies and leveraging appropriate tools, you can mitigate issues related to CSS rendering, JavaScript compatibility, and modern web standards. Proactive legacy browser testing not only enhances user experience but also upholds compliance with industry standards and client expectations. Embracing a thorough approach to testing ensures that your web applications perform reliably across all platforms, demonstrating a commitment to quality and inclusivity.