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Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the foundational markup language for creating documents designed to be displayed in web browsers. It defines the structure and content of web pages, enabling them to be visually displayed and functionally interactive on the World Wide Web.

History of HTML

HTML's inception traces back to the early 1990s, conceptualized by Tim Berners-Lee while working at CERN. His vision was to create a standardized way of sharing documents across networks, leading to the birth of the web as we know it. Over the years, HTML has undergone various iterations, with HTML5 being the latest major version, emphasizing modern web features, such as multimedia integration.

Evolution of HTML

From its initial versions, HTML has evolved significantly:

  • HTML 1.0: The early version standardizing basic elements like headings, paragraphs, and links.
  • HTML 2.0: Introduced in 1995, it included additional capabilities like forms.
  • HTML 3.2: Added support for tables and improved web layout options.
  • HTML 4.01: Focused on separating content from presentation by encouraging the use of Cascading Style Sheets.
  • HTML5: Introduced numerous new elements and attributes like <video>, <audio>, and <canvas>, allowing richer web experiences.

Structure of HTML

HTML documents are structured with a series of elements. Each element is represented by tags, generally comprising an opening and a closing tag. For instance, the <p> tag signifies a paragraph.

Tags and Attributes
  • Tags: The basic building blocks of HTML, such as <h1> for headlines and <a> for hyperlinks.
  • Attributes: Provide additional information about elements, such as href for links or src for images.

Semantic HTML

Semantic HTML refers to the use of HTML markup to reinforce the meaning of the information, improving the accessibility and SEO of web pages. Elements like <header>, <footer>, and <article> provide context and significance to the content, aiding both search engines and screen readers.

HTML in Modern Web Development

HTML is integral to modern web development, often used in conjunction with other technologies like JavaScript and CSS. These technologies allow developers to create dynamic, responsive, and visually appealing web applications.

HTML Forms

HTML forms are crucial for user interaction, allowing users to submit data that can be processed by web servers. Elements like <input>, <textarea>, and <button> are commonly used to gather user input.

HTML and the Document Object Model

The Document Object Model (DOM) is an interface that allows scripts to dynamically manipulate the content, structure, and style of HTML documents. It represents the page so that programs can change the document structure, style, and content.

Usage of HTML in Various Formats

Beyond web pages, HTML is also utilized in other digital formats. For example, e-books use HTML to structure content, making them easily readable on digital devices.

Related Technologies
  • XHTML: A stricter version of HTML that conforms to XML standards.
  • XML: A markup language that defines rules for encoding documents in a format both human-readable and machine-readable.

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