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HTML, also known as HyperText Markup Language, is the most important element of the World Wide Web. It's the language used to describe how web pages look. However, HTML can only provide static web pages. To meet the increasing demands of web features, HTML has been combined with plugins like CSS, Flash, Java, Silverlight, and more.
HTML has become something in the chaos, with different browsers implementing HTML in their own ways. HTML5 emerged to address the lingering issues of HTML, making web pages more appealing and efficient.
An Overview of HTML
As you may know, HTML is now referred to as HTML4, first published in 1997. That means we've been using HTML4 for over 15 years. Around 2000, the parallel markup language known as XHTML began development and has been used for many years. Although XHTML and HTML4 are quite similar, XHTML adheres to stricter standards.
What is HTML5?
It's worth noting that HTML4 has functional limitations. It needs to be extended through plugins like Flash to provide simpler text and image capabilities. For example, many users have created and maintained Flash platforms embedded on HTML web pages. Many Java-based web applications are also embedded on HTML web pages.
Dealing with all plugins can become difficult to maintain appropriate standards. The most ideal solution is for each browser to display web pages in the same way to provide a consistent experience for users. To achieve similar results across browsers, web developers must implement quick troubleshooting and fixes in different parts of the web page to accommodate various rendering processes. This becomes cumbersome and time-consuming.
In a note, websites requiring plugins like Flash and Java consume more CPU and RAM. Have you ever wondered why browsers consume so many computer resources? The culprit could likely be attributed to HTML extensions. That's why Apple disabled Flash support on their mobile devices, to save battery power.
What exactly is HTML5?
HTML4 functions reasonably well, but the issue here is its functional limitations. The HTML5 development team has incorporated additional advanced features in the next HTML version, meaning HTML5 must be built upon principles:
- Less reliance on functional plugins.
- Scripts should be replaced with markup whenever possible.
- Device independence (meaning available on all devices and providing a consistent end experience).
- Public development process for everyone to see what's happening.
Specifically, HTML5 has added a range of new markup tags:
- The header and footer tags help isolate the top and bottom parts of the content block. They can be used multiple times on a page.
- The article tag to define specific content chunks, such as blog posts or user comments.
Additionally, HTML5 does not support tags such as acronym, applet, frame, framset, noframes,... and some other tags
The full HTML5 standard was expected to be completed by 2014. The full standards of HTML5.1 are expected to be completed by 2016.
Why is HTML5 important?
Web browser users benefit from HTML5, as it has addressed the worst issues in HTML4. Websites will have better web standards, leading to improved content and performance. When HTML5 is embraced across the board, websites will start loading faster, consuming less bandwidth, and extending device battery life.
If you're a regular web user and have no intention of coding or maintaining your website, you can enjoy the fantastic features of HTML5 with peace of mind. Most major browsers today support HTML5. And if you're a web developer, HTML5 will make everything simpler and easier.
With Mytour's article, hopefully, readers have somewhat grasped the definition of HTML5. Besides, you can explore more about 5 HTML features you may not know about. In the not-too-distant future, HTML5 will undoubtedly revolutionize and provide a new web browsing experience for users.
