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troy_cronin2
Active Contributor
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Now as we discussed in parts 1 & 2 with each evolving version of Internet Explorer as a Web Browser Platform comes a different set of configuration settings which need to be maintained accordingly in order to support optimal performance.

If you missed Part 1 & 2 you can check them out using the links below:

  1. http://scn.sap.com/people/troy.cronin2/blog/2016/02/25/ep-browsers-rendering-troubleshooting-support...
  2. http://scn.sap.com/community/enterprise-portal/blog/2016/03/07/ep-browsers-rendering-modes-troublesh...

In terms of performance we are not making reference to the speed of the browser in any way, shape or form :smile: . Instead we are referring to the browser makeup it's associated operations, rendering and interchangeability.

The list of reported issues alongside the Utilization of Internet Explorer (IE) can be vast and seem endless. We know to well from our own experiences all of the different issues that can occur whether its browser freezing, missing scroll-bars and incomplete display of icons. If we take these known issues into consideration and combine it alongside the running of an Enterprise Portal and numerous applications the likelihood of browser sourced issues increases drastically.

In this blog posting we focus solely on Internet Explorer and all of the different versions. For each version you will see the settings which are both required and recommended to support optimal performance.

Older Versions: Internet Explorer (IE) 7 & 8 & 9

Perhaps the three versions listed here are among-st the most popular still being utilized by user bases within organizations. As with any process or product change is inevitable and on some occasions arrives with a sense of uncertainty. One key point to note from the beginning of of January 2016 is a change between what is supported and what is no longer supported.


As of January 12, 2016 only the most recent version of Internet Explorer available for the supported operating systems will receive technical support and security updates.


For more details and additional reference points you can checkout the official Microsoft posting below:


http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2014/08/07/stay-up-to-date-with-internet-explorer.aspx


For Windows 7, 8.1 operating systems and server 2012 R2 this will be IE11. Older versions of IE are no longer supported by MS therefore it is of vital importance that you check the PAM.


These "changes" in support highlights the reasoning behind checking the Product Availability Matrix (PAM) on a regular basis.


Internet Explorer (IE) 8 arrived in 2008 and came into widespread adoption and was followed by IE9 in 2010. These browsers may from a high level perspective not seem that classic or old in terms of usage but the reality is that they are heading towards being almost 10 years old. Both IE8 & 9 offered security advancements, higher efficiency and modern display revolutions.


Enterprise Portal & IE 7,8,9

Now in part 2 of this blog series we mentioned "Quirks" and its utilization towards aiding the rendering of displays in an "older-feel" format. Quirks follows the notion of simplicity and with simplicity means easy maintainability.

If we take the Enterprise Portal as an example and its markup running in quirks was straight forward. Although again to make reference to term of "evolution" when we begin to add fancy applications and operation mechanisms to our Portal environments "simplicity" is a word which becomes less apparent.

IE8/9 & Standards Mode.

With Internet Explorer two of the most common terms we hear about are "Quirks Mode" & "Standards Mode". Now we already mentioned "Quirks" and how it relates to and "Older/Classical" type of feel and rendering. With the evolution of the Internet came the evolution of Web Standards thus the term "Standards".

To find out what you are currently running you can simply check your current mode setting via F12 and checking the "Document Mode" space.

For example

As you can imagine when IE8 presented Standards and changes in configuration occurred i.e. switching from Quirks to Standards issues began to become apparent. The default mode for a freshly utilized IE8 or IE9 version remains "Quirks" but on some occasions in order to support desired setups the configuration of "Standards" was required.


If a widespread setting of "Standards" came into effect within an organization issues began to be noted quickly and the resolution is to adjust the browser to re-render in "Quirks".


IE10 & Quirks Mode Emulation


Evolving Web Standards meant a requirement for change was inevitable in terms of the browsers themselves and IE10 introduced the newly titled QME (Quirks Mode Emulation).


IE11 & Standards Mode


Unlike older web browser platform versions IE11 runs in "Standards" Mode as opposed to "Quirks Mode". With IE11 each navigation call across the Portal in terms of opening applications follows the default concept i.e. each window is opened within "Standards". Applications and processes which do not support "Standards" will most likely encounter rendering and select-ability issues.


IE Versions & Which Mode to Use


  • Internet Explorer browsers are not supported in all modes when using the SAP NetWeaver Portal.

IE8 Recommended Setup - Changing the browser & document mode to the recommended settings

  • Browser Mode = IE8 Compatibility View.
  • Document Mode = Quirks.

IE9 Recommended Setup - Changing the browser & document mode to the recommended settings


  • Browser Mode = IE9 Compatibility View.
  • Document Mode = Quirks.

IE10 Recommended Setup - Changing the browser & document mode to the recommended settings


  • Browser Mode = IE10 Compatibility View.
  • Document Mode = Internet Explorer 5 Quirks.

IE11 Recommended Setup - Changing the browser & document mode to the recommended settings

  • Document Mode = 5. To set this configurations please do as follow:
  • Open IE browser.
  • Press F12 (or 'Tools' -> 'Developer Tools').
  • At the top right corner you will be able to set the Browser Mode and Document Mode.