Toggle is a word used to describe switching back and forth between two settings, options or modes. It is often used in technology, computing and programming to give users a control over their system. In its most common usage, the toggle switch is a physical switch that can be pressed or clicked to change its position.
The term toggle can also refer to a feature that allows users to hide or show parts of an article or page at will, without having to edit the code. These toggles can be useful in articles with large amounts of data or imagery that may be distracting for readers, or if the article requires a level of privacy.
Collapsible toggles can help minimize scrolling and make it easier for visitors to find the information they need. However, it is important to consider whether the content can be structured in another way that would be more intuitive for your visitors. For example, if the article is long and visitors need to scroll to see all of the content, it might be better to use a navigation element like a sidebar menu instead of a toggle.
In software development, toggles can be useful tools to create flexibility and extensibility in apps. However, implementing them can be tricky if not done correctly. Too many toggles can lead to unwieldy, unorganized code and complexity. Toggles should be carefully planned and managed to avoid technical debt. This can be achieved by categorizing toggles, limiting their lifespan and being disciplined about clean-up.
One common mistake when creating toggles is overusing colors to signal state changes. This can cause confusion for users and reduce their effectiveness. For example, using red as an on/off indicator can be confusing for people with color blindness. When choosing a color for a toggle, it’s important to take into account the societal and cultural implications for your audience.
Toggles should be hidden behind a header or query parameter to prevent them from being discovered by malicious users. This will allow you to avoid adding unnecessary frontend load and minimize security risks. In addition, hiding toggles in this manner can improve performance by reducing the amount of requests made to your database. However, this method should be used sparingly to avoid exposing unfinished features that could be exploited by attackers. Ideally, only toggles that affect the frontend should be hidden in this way. This is especially important if you’re implementing a new feature with significant impact on the user experience.
