In traditional client side JavaScript running in a browser, how can you place a custom text message in the browser's status bar (where supported)?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: window.status = "put your message here"

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Older web browsers exposed a status bar area usually at the bottom of the browser window. JavaScript provided limited access to this area, allowing scripts to display short messages. Although modern browsers often restrict or ignore such changes for usability and security reasons, this topic still appears in basic web technology questions. This item asks you to recall the correct syntax for setting the status bar text using client side JavaScript.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The context is classic client side JavaScript in desktop browsers.
  • The browser provides a window object representing the top level browsing context.
  • The status bar text, where supported, is exposed as a property of this window object.


Concept / Approach:
In traditional implementations, the global window object has a property called status. Assigning a string to window.status asks the browser to show that message in the status bar. The code therefore looks like window.status = "message";. Calling status as if it were a function or using undefined identifiers such as statusbar does not match standard JavaScript syntax. The correct option must show an assignment to window.status, not a function call.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Remember that in JavaScript you set properties using the assignment operator =, not by putting values inside parentheses after the property name.Step 2: Identify the correct object that exposes the status bar property, which is window, the global browser window object.Step 3: Combine these facts to obtain window.status = "put your message here".Step 4: Option B matches this syntax exactly.Step 5: Options A, C and D either omit the window object, use an incorrect property name or treat status as a function, so they are not valid JavaScript statements for this task.


Verification / Alternative check:
If you test this in an older browser that still allows scripts to set the status bar, writing window.status = "Loading..."; inside a script block will cause the status bar text to change. Using status("Loading..."); will cause a runtime error because status is not a function. Modern browsers may ignore the assignment for security or design reasons, but the syntax remains historically correct for exam questions about the status bar feature.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A omits the window object and incorrectly calls status like a function. Option C uses statusbar, which is not a standard property for this purpose. Option D again treats status as a function instead of a property and will not work in JavaScript.


Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse property access with function calls and forget to include the correct object name. Another pitfall is assuming that current browser behaviour changes the historical syntax asked in exam questions. Even if modern browsers ignore the status bar, the correct JavaScript statement remains window.status = "message"; when you are tested on this specific feature.


Final Answer:
window.status = "put your message here"

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