Problem Statement
What's the difference between radio buttons and checkboxes?
Explanation
Radio buttons and checkboxes are both used for selection in forms, but they serve different purposes and have distinct behaviors. Understanding when to use each is essential for creating intuitive forms. Radio buttons allow users to select only one option from a group of mutually exclusive choices. All radio buttons in a group must share the same name attribute but have different value attributes. When you select one radio button, any previously selected button in that group is automatically deselected. This ensures only one option is ever selected at a time. Radio buttons are displayed as circles that fill with a dot when selected. They are perfect for questions with only one correct answer, such as gender selection with male, female, or other options, payment method with credit card, debit card, or PayPal, or subscription tier with basic, pro, or enterprise. Checkboxes allow users to select multiple options independently. Each checkbox can be checked or unchecked individually, regardless of other checkboxes. Users can select none, one, some, or all checkboxes. Checkboxes with the same name send multiple values to the server as an array. Checkboxes are displayed as squares that show a checkmark when selected. They are ideal for situations like selecting multiple interests from a list, choosing pizza toppings, enabling optional features, or agreeing to multiple terms. Key differences include selection behavior, where radio buttons allow only one selection and checkboxes allow multiple selections. Visual appearance differs, with radio buttons as circles and checkboxes as squares. Name attributes work differently, with radio buttons in a group sharing the same name, while checkboxes can share names for arrays or have unique names. Data submission varies, with radio buttons sending only one selected value, while checkboxes send zero or more values. Use cases differ, with radio buttons for mutually exclusive choices and checkboxes for independent options. Best practices include using radio buttons when users must choose exactly one option from a small set, typically two to seven choices. Use checkboxes when users can select multiple options or when selection is optional. Always provide clear labels for both types. Group related radio buttons using fieldset and legend tags for better structure and accessibility. For single agreement checkboxes like terms and conditions, you can use the required attribute. Never use radio buttons when multiple selections make sense, and avoid checkboxes when only one choice should be allowed. Understanding these differences helps create forms that match user expectations and improve the overall user experience.