Re: Client-Side Scripting: The Other Opinion

by "Darrell King" <darrell(at)webctr.com>

 Date:  Sat, 30 Mar 2002 09:54:11 -0500
 To:  <Hwg-basics(at)mail.hwg.org>
 References:  localhost
  todo: View Thread, Original
Paul noted (way down below) that the article I posted a link to seemed more
than a bit 1-sided...:)

I noticed the same thing about the article when I posted the link.  I
personally didn't think of it as a definitive review of the subject, but
simply as another opinion to add to the pot.

Another part the response below did, however, cause me to suddenly remember
an attitude, seen in similar HWG posts on this subject, that I had
overlooked till now:

"...a definitive proof that one need not worry at all about being victimized
..."

It honestly never occurred to me that anyone was looking for a guarantee of
safely.  I've never seen such a thing in my life, and I have both the
physical and emotional scars to prove it.  Certainly an intelligent review
of the issue would include the concerns related to both camps (and I bet we
could collectively write a good one!).  Still, the end result is very
unlikely to be a conclusive argument for or against using JavaScript (and
I'm not delving into the Java question as well right now!).

There are no 100% safe systems.  What one human can build, another can
break.  The question should actually be:

"Is the value of using JavaScript high enough that the inevitable risks are
worthwhile?"

To me, at least, that seems far more realistic than waiting for the day when
we won't have to worry about crackers...or criminals or terrorists or rainy
holidays...ever again.

D


----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Witheridge" <ssuccess(at)ebtech.net>

With all due respect, I wouldn't argue with all the reasons given in that
article FOR using script.  But the author can hardly reach the
conclusion he did (can't think of a reason NOT to use scripting) without
providing some balance.  The words 'safety' and 'security' were
nowhere in that article. And there was no consideration whatsoever of
deviant uses.  Kinda like extolling the fine craftsmanship of an AK47
while selectively ignoring its more salient capabilities.

Not looking for an argument, honest!  I'm just looking for a definitive
proof that one need not worry at all about being victimized by script
kiddies.  And there *seems* to be more evidence out there to the
contrary.

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