Element Prototype Extension - Introduction

The Element Prototype Extension (EPE) script is an implementation of the HTMLElement interface and sub interfaces (like HTMLDivElement) for Internet Explorer version 6.0 and above.

The HTMLElement interface provides the ability to extend the native functionality of HTML nodes by prototyping. As JavaScript objects can be extended by their prototype object so can HTML elements. Although implemented by most large W3C compliant browsers like FireFox and Opera, IE lacks this important feature

EPE is an unobtrusive implementation. Once included no special programming style or syntax is needed. If it works in FireFox (or other W3C compliant browser) it works in IE. You can see all the features here.

EPE also brings a very efficient platform for correcting other IE particularities concerning the DOM. Methods which are wrongly implemented or altogether missing can be easily corrected or provided. Such corrections are made available as optional downloads. A list of DOM Corrections can be found here.

You can make your own script take advantage of the features EPE provides. PlugIns are a flexible way of extending EPE functionality without touching the base code.

W3C features which are lacking and the occasional major bugs are listed on the known issues page.

EPE makes it possible to easily extend functionality of any element. EPE is what makes the HTMLElement object possible in the standard library.