579725 - links with javascript: href should always open in the current tab

Status: RESOLVED WONTFIX

(Firefox :: General, defect)

Description

[Frank Yan (:fryn)]

<a/> and <area/> elements with a href attribute that specifies the javascript protocol should always execute the script in the current tab and never in a new tab or window.

Currently, if you set the target attribute of the link, it will open and execute in a new tab.
Also, if you hold shift while clicking the link, it will open and execute in a new window.

This does not remove any potential functionality for javascript urls, since window.open can still be called within the script to execute code in a new tab or window.

See also:
bug 55696 - Force JavaScript link to open in new window or new tab
(which is actually not the opposite of this bug)
bug 335963 - better link activation API

NOTE: I'm not sure which component within which this bug fits, so feel free to change the component if you know better. :)

Comment 1

[Frank Yan (:fryn)]

after some brief thinking and discussion, i realized that having the target attribute set to something should cause the link to open in a new tab my default.

WONTFIXing.

check out bug 251137 instead.