What's the Difference Between `window.location.href` and `window.open()` in JavaScript?

The Subtle Distinction: window.location.href vs. window.open() in JavaScript

When it comes to navigating browsers and opening new windows, JavaScript offers two essential tools: window.location.href and window.open(). While these methods serve similar purposes, they differ in their functionality.

window.location.href

window.location.href is not actually a method, but rather a property that stores the current URL of the browser. It's primarily used to retrieve the URL of the current page. However, you can also set the value of window.location.href to change the browser's location, effectively redirecting the page to a new URL.

window.open()

In contrast, window.open() is a method that enables you to open a new window or tab and load a specified URL into it. This method takes a single parameter, which is the URL you want to open. By passing different URLs, you can populate the new window or tab with distinct content.

Usage Examples

To illustrate their usage:

For window.location.href:

<code class="javascript">window.location.href = 'http://www.example.com'; // Redirects to www.example.com</code>

For window.open():

<code class="javascript">window.open('http://www.example.com'); // Opens www.example.com in a new window</code>

Additional Points

• window.open() allows you to customize the features of the newly opened window, such as its dimensions and position.
• window.open() can also be used to open a new window with no URL, allowing you to create a blank page.
• Both methods work across different browsers and operating systems.

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