How to simply detect browser type with JQuery or JavaScript? [duplicate]

Question

I am using JavaScripts lastIndexOf() which doesnt work in IE so I must write an alternative code.

I simply want an if statement to do something like:

if(IE = true){
  //run alternative to lastIndexOf()
}

But I am really struggling with finding a way to achieve this.

So far I have tried the following:

JQuery's .browser is deprecated.

.support seems to only detect certain facets or features of a browser.

Modifying .support with JavaScript, as here, wont work and throws errors.

The hasClass() method no longer works:

<!--[if lt IE 7]>      <html class="ie6"> <![endif]-->
<!--[if IE 7]>         <html class="ie7"> <![endif]-->
<!--[if IE 8]>         <html class="ie8"> <![endif]-->
<!--[if gt IE 8]><!--> <html>         <!--<![endif]-->
if ($('html').hasClass('ie7');

Would anyone know a simple way to just detect the browser type?

I can't find any jQuery documentation for lastIndexOf. Did you perhaps mean String.lastIndexOf or Array.prototype.lastIndexOf — Phil
– Phil, Commented Nov 29, 2013 at 0:20

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:12:43Z

4

There are cases when you have no choice but to use browser detection, but in this case it is better if you detect the function itself, and shim it in if it is not there.

edited May 23, 2017 at 12:12

CommunityBot

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answered Nov 29, 2013 at 0:22

Amadan

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4 Comments

Phil Over a year ago

I always check MDN for shims / polyfills under the compatibility sections

Amadan Over a year ago

@Phil: very good point.

Chris Love Over a year ago

Yeah do not browser sniff, feature detect. FWIW IE supports lastIndexOf, here is a copy from my console doing a quick example.

Chris Love Over a year ago

JavaScript Console is attached and accepting commands. var str = "Hello planet earth, you are a great planet."; var n = str.lastIndexOf("planet"); undefined n 36

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:56:09Z

-2

Edit: The best way to fix your issue is given by MDN.

How can you detect the version of a browser? has a very nice way of getting the browser type and version as a string.

You might also find Detect IE version (prior to v9) in JavaScript helpful for IE-specific detection.

You can also try:

if (navigator.userAgent.indexOf("MSIE") > 0 )

I have not tested this however.

edited May 23, 2017 at 11:56

CommunityBot

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answered Nov 29, 2013 at 0:21

JDong

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6 Comments

JDong Over a year ago

I'm looking for the source, can't find it

kennebec Over a year ago

stackoverflow.com/a/5918791/80860

JDong Over a year ago

Thanks, found it myself too.

MeltingDog Over a year ago

You might also find Detect IE version in Javascript helpful. is exactly what I needed. Added the piece of code I used to your answer above

RobG Over a year ago

-1 Browser detection is a flawed strategy and has been considered a very bad idea for a long time. Please don't suggest it, paticularly when there is a very simple way to detect support for indexOf and deal with cases where it's lacking.

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