What is HTML 5, are there any major things to look out for?
Hi all,
I wanted to share my thoughts on what is HTML 5 and its perceived impact on the WEB….
HTML 5, the W3C’s recently redoubled effort to shape the next generation of HTML, has, over the last year or so, taken on considerable momentum. It is an enormous project, covering not simply the structure of HTML, but also parsing models, error-handling models, the DOM, algorithms for resource fetching, media content, 2D drawing, data templating, security models, page loading models, client-side data storage, and more.
Let me begin by giving you a small description of HTML 5 and what it means for the web as we know it.
Definition:
HTML 5 is the next planned revision of the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), which is a set of markup symbols or codes that can be inserted in files intended for display on Web browsers. In 2007, HTML 5 was adopted by the new HTML working group of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). This group published the first public draft of HTML 5 in January 2008.
Refinements may continue for years before HTML 5 becomes a formal recommendation. Therefore, I would say - Do not panic - no need to start leanring HTML 5 and coding it on your sites!
HTML 5 is expected to offer numerous improvements over HTML 4, including:
- New parsing rules for enhanced flexibility
- New attributes like <header> </header>, <nav> </nav> and <footer> </footer> tags
- Elimination of outmoded or redundant attributes
- Immediate-mode drawing
- Drag and drop
- Back button management
- Timed media playback
- Offline editing
- Messaging enhancements
- Detailed rules for parsing
- MIME and protocol handler registration
HTML 5 will be designed so that older browsers that do not support it can safely ignore the new constructs, producing legible Web pages in most cases even if the syntax is not compatible.
Writing on IBM’s developerWorks pages, Elliote Rusty Harold claims that HTML 5 would be:
…instantly recognizable to a Web designer frozen in ice in 1999 and thawed today. There are no namespace’s or schema’s. Elements don’t have to be closed. Browsers are forgiving of errors. A p is still a p, and a table is still a table. At the same time, this proverbial unfrozen caveman Web designer would encounter some new and confusing elements. Yes, old friends like div remain, but now HTML includes section, header, footer, and nav as well. em, code, and strong are still present, but so are meter, time, and m. img and embed continue to be used, but now there are video and audio too.
…. so i hear you say “W3C have tried to do something and have given us a starting point! Its up to us - the developers - to take it further with our own thoughts and recommendations.”
Do you agree?