A toggle is a switch that turns a particular mode on or off. Toggles are commonly used in technology, computing, programming, and communications to provide users with a way to easily change settings.
In the UI world, toggles are often used to enable responsive layouts in web development. The ability to easily turn on or off navigation menus, sidebars and other UI components can make it easier for designers to create adaptive experiences.
When implemented properly, toggles can also be used to help make applications more accessible. By utilizing clear labeling and visual cues (like movement or color), toggle switches can be easier for users with cognitive disabilities to understand. Additionally, toggles are able to meet WCAG standards for accessibility because they don’t rely on color alone to convey meaning.
Savvy teams treat the inventory of Feature Toggles like any other resource and strive to keep it low. This becomes especially important when working with long lived Feature Toggles like Permission Toggles or Champagne Brunch Toggles that need to remain in place for extended periods of time.
Some teams implement “expiration dates” on their Feature Toggles to automatically decommission them when they are no longer necessary. This helps to prevent the creation of a large number of toggles that would be difficult to maintain. The goal is to ensure that the team can continually be deploying changes without having to worry about removing old toggles that they no longer need.
