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web api instance method

DocumentType: before() method

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The DocumentType.before() method inserts a set of Node objects or strings in the children list of the DocumentType’s parent, just before the DocumentType. Strings are inserted as equivalent Text nodes.

Syntax

before(param1)
before(param1, param2)
before(param1, param2, /* …, */ paramN)

Parameters

  • param1, …, paramN
    • : A set of Node objects or strings to insert.

Return value

None (undefined).

Exceptions

  • HierarchyRequestError DOMException
    • : Thrown when the node cannot be inserted at the specified point in the hierarchy.

Examples

Adding a conditional comment

Comment nodes are valid before doctype declarations but not advisable given they trigger quirks mode in IE. A conditional comment works for IE as well, though:

let docType = document.implementation.createDocumentType("html", "", "");
let myDoc = document.implementation.createDocument("", "", docType);

docType.before(
  document.createComment("<!--[if !IE]> conditional comment <![endif]-->"),
);

myDoc.childNodes;
// NodeList [<!--[if !IE]> conditional comment <![endif]-->, <!DOCTYPE html>]

Specifications

SpecificationsStandards references are available on the canonical MDN page.

Browser compatibility

Browser compatibilityCompatibility data is available on the canonical MDN page.

See also