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The most common way to download a file using JS in a web browser using the a tag.

   Jun 16, 2023     1 min read

This is an article about how the most common way to download a file using JS in a web browser is to use the a tag.

I learned more about what the a tag is.

Sure, we all know how to use it, but we wanted to learn more details. The a tag in HTML is used to create hyperlinks on the web. The tag has a number of attributes, of which the href attribute specifies the destination of the link, and the download attribute serves to instruct the browser to download the resource referenced by the URL of the destination.

For example: ##### What are the most common ways to handle file downloads in JavaScript?

The most common way is to dynamically generate an A tag and click it programmatically. Why is using the A tag effective?

  1. browser compatibility: The a tag is supported by all web browsers, and the download attribute is also supported by most modern browsers, so this method is reliable in terms of browser compatibility.
  2. User experience: When you use the a tag, you’re using the browser’s default download manager to download the file. This gives the user a familiar experience and allows them to check the progress of the download, stop and resume the download, and more.
  3. Security: Using the a tag works within the browser’s security model, preventing scripts from directly accessing the user’s file system and keeping the user secure.
  4. Simplicity: The A tag allows you to implement file downloads with just a few lines of code.

For the above reasons, it is safe to say that the most common way to download files in JavaScript is to use the a tag.