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Re: Links vs buttons

for

From: Cameron Cundiff
Date: Sep 12, 2013 6:25AM

Olaf's description summarizes the topic nicely. I encourage you to check
out an expanded investigation by Karl Groves: Links are not buttons.
Neither are DIVs and
SPANs<http://www.karlgroves.com/2013/05/14/links-are-not-buttons-neither-are-divs-and-spans/>;
.


On Thu, Sep 12, 2013 at 3:35 AM, Olaf Drümmer < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I would make a distinction between
> changing where you are, by moving around in content that is there
> already
> versus
> changing the state or status of something
>
> Buttons change something:
> - create a list of search results
> - submit a form
> - go to the next step in a transaction (e.g. when ordering
> something online)
> - …
>
> Links are just navigational instruments - the stuff on the website is not
> changed, just your position in it changes when you follow links.
>
> Borderline cases are links or buttons like "Next". If something is saying
> "Next" in the sense of next page of this article, I consider that a link,
> if something is saying "Next" because after selecting things for purchase
> you go to the payment step, this would be through a button.
>
> Or in other words:
>
> A button is an answer to the question "What can I do" whereas a link is
> an answer to the question "Where can I go".
>
>
> Olaf
>
>
> Am 12 Sep 2013 um 07:11 schrieb Rakesh < <EMAIL REMOVED> >:
>
> > Hi all,
> >
> > Most of the times I am confused where to use buttons and where to use
> > links. Tried researching on it but I could not get a solid answer.
> > I am very much interested in righting a blog on the same.
> >
> > To me button is used when an action is associated with the element such
> > as 'Submit", "continue", "next", "cancel", Add to cart (in e-commerce
> > websites), Proceed", close" etc. Also when a pop-up opens to provide
> > context help "help", etc. While links are only used to connect the web
> > pages either through "href" or by calling some functions via
> > scripting.The other way to put it is input buttons are used wen a
> > visuall indication off buttton is provided on the page else use a link.
> >
> > Is my understanding correct. Can you throw some light on it.
> >
> > Thanks & Regards
> > Rakesh
> > > > > > >
> > > >