Toggle is a user interface control that enables users to update their preferences or settings without the need to restart their application. It is a simple and straightforward element, but it can have significant impact on the user experience.
Toggles are useful for a wide range of use cases, but they are particularly helpful when a user wants to switch between different states. They can be used to enable and disable features or views in an application, or they can be employed to provide a set of predefined themes for the entire application. They can also be used to perform A/B testing by enabling a variety of code paths for different cohorts of users and then comparing the performance of these paths.
A toggle is a pin, bolt, or rod that is placed transversely through an eye or loop in a chain or rope, and thereby temporarily binds it to another chain or rope of the same size. The word “toggle” has also been applied to a lever-shaped button used for inserting into a larger eye or loop in a chain or rope, or to a shackle or toggle rail, to which it may be attached to allow it to be turned on and off.
In the digital world, toggles are commonly employed to enable responsive web design by allowing developers to implement different layouts or display options for various screen sizes. They can also be used to enable and disable navigation menus or sidebars to provide an optimal user experience.
The key to using toggles well is to make sure that they are easy for users to understand. Toggle switches should have clear labels that communicate what they do and utilize visual cues to indicate their current state. This will help avoid confusion for users, especially when they are switching between multiple modes of an application. It is important to avoid relying on color alone to convey meaning, as this can be difficult for people with certain disabilities. For example, the color green can be problematic for some users with red/green color vision deficiency.
Toggle switches are a powerful tool for enabling responsive and adaptive experiences, but they can be problematic when not managed properly. Savvy teams recognize that they come with a carrying cost and take steps to ensure that they are removed when no longer necessary. This is done by regularly auditing toggles, decoupling decision points from logic, and ensuring that configuration files are structured for easy management. Some teams even put expiration dates on toggles to ensure that they are removed from the codebase after a set period of time. This helps to prevent technical debt from building up and hindering future development.
