TW Blog :: Entries for Web Standards

Simple Acronym Handler

Also relates to PHP

Many code snippets for handling acronyms seem to rely on <a href="http://www.php.net/preg_replace" title="PHP Doc for preg_replace">preg_replace()</a>. The problem with this method is ensuring that double replacements do not occur (e.g. with XHTML and HTML). A much better function to use is <a href="http://www.php.net/strtr" title="PHP Doc for strtr">strtr()</a> with two arguments:

$translation_array = array(
  'XHTML' => '<acronym title="eXtensible Hypertext Markup Language">',
  'HTML'  => '<acronym title="Hypertext Markup Language">'
                           );
$str = strtr($str, $translation_array);

It will always look for the longest pattern first and will not try to replace stuff it has already worked on. It is also really quick.

I have been test running the following function on this site to automate acronym handling:

function ss_fns_parse_acronyms($copy) {
  
  static $trans = array();
  
  if (empty($trans)) {
    $dat_file = SOME_PATH . '/data/acronyms.dat';
    $acronyms = parse_ini_file($dat_file);
    foreach($acronyms as $a => $d) {
      $trans[$a] = "<acronym title=\"$d\">$a</acronym>";  
    }    
  }
  
  return strtr($copy, $trans);        
}

The acronyms can be stored in php_ini format in a file, thus new acronyms can be added without interfering with this code. There are occassional limitations and gotchas - e.g. OS inadvertantly appearing in $_POST, but it is an efficient and clean alternative to preg_replace.

Posted on Aug 13, 2004 at 05:58:50. [Comments for Simple Acronym Handler- 0]

GAWDS Cracks The Whip

Also relates to Accessibility

Yes, it is official! The Guild of Accessible Web Designers (GAWDS) makes its launch today, thanks to the dedicated work of Jim Bryne and the rest of the GAWDS members.

Accessibility goes far beyond preparing Web sites for disabled people. Accessibility is now shorthand for the adoption of core standards that benefit every user of the Internet and impact the bottom line of every business. GAWDS intends to promote these standards to instill in Web designers the high level of competence and professionalism required to unlock the full potential of the Internet. Jim Bryne, GAWDS Founder

While the public readily understands how inaccessible Web sites limit the flow of information to people with disabilities, many business owners fail to see the detrimental effects of inaccessible or non standards-based design on their bottom line. The number of user agents that still tolerate sloppy, invalid markup is shrinking. With the emergence of new technologies and devices, this means that client and consumer audiences are also shrinking for businesses that rely on old-style, idiosyncratic Web sites that make it difficult to parse content for re-use.Derek Featherstone, GAWDS Founding Member

Read the full press release to gain an insight into the objectives of GAWDS to bring Web Standards and Accessibility to the forefront of web design and development, and peruse the opinions of a number of members on the future and importance of accessibility. Then, once you have got a feel for the Guild, why not have a go at the site redesign competition to win a great prize and ultimate kudos!

Posted on May 26, 2004 at 05:00:33. [Comments for GAWDS Cracks The Whip- 0]