Web Compatibility and Accessibility: The Guide to 5 Technical Tools
Web development is a complex job. Creating a site is not enough. Your code must work everywhere. It must work on all screens. It must work for all users.
There are many different browsers. There are many email applications. Some servers use old technologies. These differences create errors. We call these compatibility problems.
A technical error drives your customers away. It also blocks people with disabilities. It prevents search engines from reading your site.
To succeed, you must check your code. Here are 5 tools to code with precision.
1. CanIUse: Checking Web Browsers
Link:https://caniuse.com/
CanIUse is a huge database. It lists web features. It shows which browsers accept your code. It covers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
Why Use This Tool?
Browsers do not evolve at the same speed. A feature might work on Chrome but not on Safari. CanIUse displays color tables.
- Green: The code works well.
- Red: The code does not work.
- Yellow: The code works sometimes.
Technical CSS Code Example
Modern CSS allows you to write fewer lines. We use mathematical functions for element sizes. We also use selectors to exclude objects.
Here is a very high-performance code example:
/* Container with fluid width */
.main-wrapper {
width : min(100% - 2rem, 75rem);
margin-inline : auto;
}
/* Text size adapts to the screen */
.main-title {
font-size : clamp(1.25rem, 4vw + 1rem, 2.5rem);
}
/* Style only elements that are not disabled */
.action-link:not(.is-disabled) {
color : '#05f';
text-decoration : underline;
}
Before copying this code, go to CanIUse. Type min, clamp, or :not. The tool gives you the percentage of compatible
users. If the score is high, you can code. If the score is low, you must change your method. This avoids breaking the
display for your customers.
2. CanIEmail: Email Compatibility
Link:https://www.caniemail.com/
Sending an HTML email is very difficult. Email applications are old. They do not read code like a browser. Outlook is the most difficult application. It uses the Microsoft Word engine to display emails.
The Dangers of Code in Emails
Many CSS properties are forbidden in emails. CanIEmail tests over 50 applications. It also tests over 170 features.
If you use bad code, the email will be unreadable. The user will delete your message. CanIEmail saves you time. It shows you what is safe. Often, you must use HTML tables for the structure. It is an old but very solid technique. The tool helps you choose between design and compatibility.
3. A11y Support: The Accessibility Tool
Web accessibility allows disabled people to use the internet. Blind people use screen readers. This software reads the code aloud. But not all screen readers read the same thing.
Why Check A11y Support?
A code can be correct for the W3C. Yet, software might not understand it. A11y Support lists these problems. It compares browsers and screen readers.
The tool tests ARIA attributes. It also tests HTML roles.
- It prevents making a site invisible to a blind person.
- It ensures your buttons are usable with a keyboard.
- It makes your site truly inclusive.
Always check your interactive components on this tool. It is a mandatory step for quality.
4. CanInclude: Validating HTML Structure
Link:https://caninclude.glitch.me/
The HTML language has precise rules. We call this semantics. Some tags cannot go inside other tags. CanInclude checks these rules for you.
The Risks of a Bad Structure
Nesting your tags incorrectly creates bugs. The browser must make efforts to fix your errors. This slows down the page display.
A bad structure also loses Google robots. Google uses HTML to understand your topic. If the HTML is wrong, your SEO drops. CanInclude is very simple. You provide the parent tag. You provide the child tag. The tool answers ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. It is fast and efficient.
5. Can I PHP: Server Compatibility
Link:https://caniphp.com/
PHP code runs on the server. PHP changes versions often. Each version brings new functions. If your server is old, your recent code will crash.
Securing Your Backend
A PHP error stops the entire site. The user sees a white page. We call this a fatal error. This is very bad for your business.
Can I PHP gives you the minimum version for each function. Here is an example of modern PHP code:
<?php
/* Check a string with a modern function in PHP
* This requires PHP 8.0 or higher */
function check_user_access(string $role)
{
if (str_contains($role, 'admin'))
return 'Access granted';
return 'Access denied';
}
Go to Can I PHP. Type str_contains. The tool will tell you: ‘PHP 8.0’. If your server uses PHP 7.4, the code will
break. You will have to use an old function like strpos. This tool protects your server against crashes.
Conclusion
Performance depends on compatibility. A good developer always checks their tools.
- CanIUse secures your styles and scripts.
- CanIEmail makes your emails readable everywhere.
- A11y Support opens your site to everyone.
- CanInclude validates your HTML structure.
- Can I PHP protects your server from errors.
Use these tools every day. Your code will be stronger. Your users will be happier. Your site will be faster.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are these tools free?
Yes. All these tools are free. they are maintained by volunteer experts.Which tool is the most important?
All are important. But CanIUse is the one used most often. It is the base of the developer profession.Why test accessibility?
It is a legal obligation in many countries. It is also an ethical choice to leave no one behind.Can I use these tools on mobile?
Yes. All these sites work on smartphones. You can check a function anywhere.