A toggle is a switch that has two positions, on and off. Typically it’s used in software to change a feature on or off. However, the term is also used for any type of switch that allows a user to alter an aspect of an experience. For example, a video chat client might allow a user to toggle the appearance of their contact list between small and large images, or it could toggle whether notifications are displayed in the sidebar.
When a toggle is implemented correctly it’s very useful. It provides a way to enable or disable features that would otherwise require rewriting code. For this reason, it’s important to only use a toggle when absolutely necessary. For example, a toggle might be useful if you want to allow users to update their preferences or settings, but you don’t have the time to modify all of your existing code to do that.
Toggles are usually presented as a button, but there are other ways to implement them. For example, they can be implemented as a dropdown menu or even as a piece of text. The important thing is to make sure the toggle is clearly labeled and that the current state is obvious. For example, a toggle that looks like a slider should have clear visual cues to show the current state. If possible, toggles should also be able to be read by screen readers or other assistive technology. This is often a challenge because developers don’t realize that simply using green and red to mark states as “on” and “off” can be confusing for people with color vision deficiency, who may see only red or green.
Another reason to only use toggles when absolutely necessary is that they introduce extra complexity into a codebase. Adding and modifying the toggle configuration in static files is difficult at scale, and ensuring consistency across all servers is challenging when using this approach. For this reason, savvy teams tend to move toggle configuration into some sort of centralized store, usually an existing application database. This also makes it easier for team members to view and modify the toggle’s current state.
Savvy teams treat toggles as inventory that comes with a carrying cost, and they strive to keep their inventory low. This is often done by introducing a task in the team’s backlog to remove a toggle when it’s no longer needed, or by adding an expiration date to a toggle to ensure that it gets removed before it becomes a problem.
Toggles can be dangerous if not used appropriately. They are a powerful tool, but they can create a lot of confusion in shared environments. To avoid this, developers should only use toggles when they are absolutely necessary, and make sure to educate their team members on the best practices for managing them. It is also a good idea to review each toggle on an individual basis, as there may be better options available for the situation.
