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A toggle is a simple control that enforces a mutually exclusive state, on or off. It also makes it easy for users to understand what each option does. Toggles are typically positioned at the bottom of a screen, where they are easily accessible and where they will be activated most frequently.
Unlike most other controls, toggles do not have any text, so they rely on visual cues to signal their states. When designers fail to take this into account, they can create confusing interfaces that mislead users. The right color can be a powerful signifier, but it’s important to consider contrast and cultural implications when selecting a color for toggle switches. In addition, designers should use a clear description of the current state next to the switch, and they should avoid using colors that are associated with stop signs or traffic signals.
When used well, toggles can be powerful interface elements that help reduce complexity and confusion in complex applications. However, they can be challenging to design and implement. Toggle buttons must be clearly labelled and should not be confused with other controls, such as sliders or radio buttons. They should resemble physical knobs or buttons, and they must have the same appearance on all devices. Toggle buttons must be physically movable, and they should move in the same way as their physical counterparts in order to provide consistency with user expectations.
Toggle buttons can be configured in a number of different ways, ranging from simple “if” statements to complex decision trees that act upon many variables. A variety of conditions, including fitness test results from other features in the codebase, a setting in a feature management tool, or a variable provided by a config file can trigger the toggle to change its state.
In some cases, developers may decide to hardcode a toggle’s configuration. While this is a viable approach, it should be reserved for toggles that are expected to be used infrequently or for which a dynamic re-configuration is unfeasible. Using a preprocessor’s #ifdef function is one example of this type of hardcoding, and while it provides some flexibility for re-configuration, it lacks the flexibility of other options.
Dev teams can also use toggles to support agile development processes by allowing them to deploy new features without having to create separate code branches. Toggles can be enabled in the production branch, enabling them to meet release deadlines even while the team is still working on the new feature. This can help ensure that products are constantly improving, while at the same time avoiding the problems caused by feature regressions.
