Analysis and Resolution of Semantic Ambiguity of Toggle Buttons by Standardizing the Design in Software GUI and Mobile Apps

Toggle buttons are intuitive gadgets widely used in software GUI design and mobile app interfaces with increasing popularity on mobile devices. However, the current practice of toggle button design is prone to semantic ambiguity, which causes confusions to the users. This paper presents an analysis of the various paradigms of toggle button design in the current practice and provides a resolution of the sematic ambiguities by proposing a set of design standards regarding toggle buttons. State semantics and action semantics are distinguished and it is advocated that state semantics should be used in lieu of action semantics.