javascript name vs ID

javascript, standards, xhtml

Solution

The ultimate guide in this is the HTML specification.

Things that stand out there:

- `id` is valid for any HTML element, while `name` only applies to a select few (`a`, `input`, `textarea` and maybe a few others).

- An `input` (and `textarea`) element requires the `name` to be set if you want it to be submitted.

Problem

As far as I know there are two ways to get the value from a textbox either ``` document.formName.textboxName.value; ``` or ``` document.getElementbyId('textboxId').value; ``` As I understand using form name would mean I have less code to write, as name can be used for posting data and getting the value (apart from using ajax). As where if I was just posting using a standard form I would use `name` to post but I cannot use `id` ? e.g. in php I would use ``` $_POST['texboxName']; ``` If I where to have and ID on the textbox I cannot get the value using php ? Which is the standard recommened way of doing this, and is using `name` browser friendly? Links if possible please, thanks.

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