[Webkit-unassigned] [Bug 160744] New: AX: Spell check and style attributes should be optional when fetching attributed string

[bugzilla-daemon at webkit.org]

https://bugs.webkit.org/show_bug.cgi?id=160744

            Bug ID: 160744
           Summary: AX: Spell check and style attributes should be
                    optional when fetching attributed string
    Classification: Unclassified
           Product: WebKit
           Version: WebKit Nightly Build
          Hardware: All
                OS: All
            Status: NEW
          Severity: Normal
          Priority: P2
         Component: Accessibility
          Assignee: webkit-unassigned at lists.webkit.org
          Reporter: d_russell at apple.com
                CC: webkit-bug-importer at group.apple.com

The overhead of fetching a spell checked attributed string via AX API is substantial. In some cases on the order of 7/8 of the total time spent fetching the string. Overhead for style is much smaller, but still a substantial portion of total time spent fetching an attributed string.

I propose:

1. Introducing two new attributes -
AXSimpleAttributedStringForTextMarkerRange - includes neither style nor spell checking
AXMisspelledAttributedStringForTextMarkerRange - includes both style and spell checking

2. Modifying the existing property AXAttributedStringForTextMarkerRange to not include spell checking, but retain style attributes.

(AXAttributedStringForRange will be unchanged.)

Spell checking is only relevant in editable nodes. Assistive technology clients can detect if they or their ancestors are editable and choose the appropriate attribute.

Style is often not output via speech or braille and in those cases is wasted overhead. Again assistive technology can make contextual decisions to ask for the correct attribute.

Other approaches considered:
Leaving AXAttributedStringForTextMarkerRange unchanged and introducing AXAttributedStringForTextMarkerRangeWithOptions allowing spell checking, style and future attributes to be toggled on and off. The overhead of boxing and unboxing these parameters outweighed the cost savings of skipping any individual attribute except spelling in most cases.

-- 
You are receiving this mail because:
You are the assignee for the bug.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.webkit.org/pipermail/webkit-unassigned/attachments/20160810/9b0572b3/attachment.html>