In web development, a polyfill (or polyfiller) is downloadable code which provides facilities that are not built into a web browser. For example, many features of HTML5 are not supported by versions of Internet Explorer older than version 8 or 9, but can be used by web pages if those pages install a polyfill.[1] Web shims[2] like HTML5 Shiv are a related concept.
Polyfills can also be used to add entirely new functionality to browsers. For instance, BrowserID relies on a Javascript API which (as of mid-2012) is not supported in any browser and must be provided via a polyfill.[3]
The term "polyfiller" is inspired by Polyfilla, the name of a well established brand of wall filler (UK) or spackling paste (US) sold in the UK.[1]
References
- ^ a b Sharp, Remy. "What is a polyfill?". Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ Webshim
- ^ "navigator.id". Mozilla Developer Network. 30 Jun 2012.
External links
- A list of polyfills providing HTML5 facilities, from the Modernizr project
- HTML5 Polyfill List By Feature