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Re: Links vs buttons

for

From: Rakesh
Date: Sep 12, 2013 8:51AM

Hi Olaf,

Thank you for your response. So, I take this from your explanation.
"Next" will be a button when I do a transaction or select items on a
shopping website etc.
"Next " will be a link if I have first 10 results available out of 100
and I need to hit next to get the next set of 10 results.

Hope my understanding is correct.

Thanks & Regards
Rakesh

On 9/12/2013 1:05 PM, Olaf Drümmer 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
>> >> >> > > >