FAQ

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    What is FBML?

    FBML (short for Facebook markup Language) is a special markup language that allows developers to display certain kinds of information in applications and static tabs.

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    Can you use Javascript in Facebook applications?

    Yes, however if your application is an FBML application (as opposed to an IFRAME application), the types of Javascript you can use will be much more limited.

    Facebook provides FBJS (Facebook Javascript) and Mock Ajax to give you some basic Javascript functionality in FBML applications and Static FBML tabs while disallowing most custom Javascript. In an IFRAME application, you have much more flexibility with the Javascript you use.

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    How can I add a custom tab to my fan page without creating an application?

    Easy! Add the Static FBML application to your fan page, and then create as many static tabs as you'd like. You will not be able to access the Facebook API to access user information, however if you're just looking to create a nice-looking landing tab, Static FBML is your answer.

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    What skills do I need to create a Static FBML tab?

    Basic HTML and CSS skills are really all that's needed to create a great-looking Static FBML tab. If you're going to include video or Flash, you'll need to use a little FBML, but most of your work will be in the same HTML and CSS that would be used on any web page.

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    What's the difference between a Static FBML tab and a Facebook application?

    A Facebook application is necessary if you need to access the Facebook API to get any kind of information about the user (Facebook ID, name, email, anything). You would also need an application if whatever functionality you're planning for requires script content to be pulled from somewhere else, for example if you're pulling data from a database.

    If all of your content is static, meaning it doesn't actually do do anything other than look pretty, you're probably safe with a Static FBML tab.

    Facebook requires you to create an application if you're accessing the API so that they can allow the user to decide what data you should have access to, and they can block your application if they feel it is spammy or annoying.

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    Where do I put my images for applications or Static FBML tabs?

    Just as you need a place to host the scripts that power your application, you need to host your own images as well. When you write the code to display images in your Static FBML or application, you link directly to the image files on your own server.

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    Does Facebook cache my images?

    In FBML applications, your images will be cached by Facebook. They also do a bit of compression on them, so if the images don't look as clea as the ones you uploaded, that's why.

    In IFRAME applications, images are not cached since they are being drawn directly from your server.