What Does `return false` Do in JavaScript Click Event Listeners?

Understanding the Impact of 'return false' in Click Event Listeners

When adding 'return false' to a click event listener, you are essentially controlling the default behavior of the browser after the click event has been triggered. By returning false within the event handler, you prevent the browser from carrying out its predetermined action. This feature is commonly utilized with links to suppress the inherent action of following the hyperlink.

Unlike links, buttons do not usually employ this technique as their default behavior is different. Buttons typically submit forms or initiate certain predefined actions, which are not directly impacted by adding 'return false' to their click event listeners.

Although there's no specific W3C specification for this behavior, it falls under the domain of "DOM 0," a collection of unspecified but historically implemented JavaScript interfaces. However, modern browser practices have replaced this technique with the use of 'event.preventDefault()' for the same purpose. This updated approach is clearly defined in the DOM 2 Events specification.

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