HTML Vs XHTML Explained | Difference Between HTML And XHTML | HTML For Beginners | SimpliCode

Summary

This video explains the key differences between HTML and XHTML, focusing on XHTML's stricter rules based on XML standards. It highlights the case sensitivity of XHTML, the need for proper syntax, and the handling of empty elements. The video demonstrates how to write valid HTML and XHTML code, showing the errors that occur when HTML code is used in XHTML. Additionally, it discusses the evolution of HTML to HTML5, the use of doctype declarations, and why HTML5 is preferred over XHTML. Overall, it provides valuable insights into web design best practices for beginners and developers.

Takeaways

• 😀 XHTML is an advanced version of HTML, introduced by W3C in 2000, following XML standards.
• 😀 HTML is based on SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language), while XHTML is based on XML (Extensible Markup Language).
• 😀 XHTML is stricter than HTML and requires adherence to XML rules, making it more structured and consistent.
• 😀 In XHTML, all tags must be written in lowercase, whereas HTML is not case-sensitive.
• 😀 In XHTML, attributes like 'style' must be enclosed in double quotes, unlike in HTML where they may be omitted.
• 😀 XHTML files require the '.xhtml' or '.xml' extension, while HTML uses '.html' or '.htm'.
• 😀 Empty elements in XHTML, like the break tag, must be self-closed using a forward slash ('<br />'), which is not required in HTML.
• 😀 The DOCTYPE declaration in XHTML is more detailed and mandatory, whereas in HTML, it is optional.
• 😀 Although XHTML was designed as an improved version of HTML, HTML5 offers more features and better compatibility today.
• 😀 For beginners, learning HTML5 is recommended over older versions like HTML4 or XHTML due to its greater ease of use and modern features.

Q & A

What is the main difference between HTML and XHTML?

The main difference between HTML and XHTML is that XHTML is based on XML standards, while HTML follows SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language). XHTML is stricter and requires adherence to XML syntax rules, such as case sensitivity and proper tag closure.

Why was XHTML introduced?

XHTML was introduced in 2000 by W3C as an advanced version of HTML to ensure better compatibility with XML standards, making web documents more consistent, machine-readable, and compatible across different platforms.

Is HTML5 capable of performing everything that XHTML can do?

Yes, HTML5 can perform most of the tasks that XHTML can, but XHTML offers stricter syntax rules, which some developers prefer for more predictable and consistent behavior across browsers.

What are the rules for using tags in XHTML?

In XHTML, all tags must be written in lowercase, as XHTML is case sensitive. Additionally, attributes must be enclosed in double quotes, and all tags must be properly closed, even if they are self-closing (e.g., the <br> tag requires a forward slash).

What are empty elements in HTML and how are they treated differently in XHTML?

Empty elements are those that do not require a closing tag, like <br> or <img>. In HTML, they can be used without closing tags, but in XHTML, these elements must be self-closed using a forward slash, like <br />.

What doctype declaration is used in HTML versus XHTML?

In HTML, the doctype declaration is simply 'DOCTYPE html'. In XHTML, the doctype declaration is more detailed and includes XML-specific elements, such as specifying the XML namespace (xmlns) and the version of XHTML being used.

What happens if an HTML code is used in an XHTML file without adhering to its rules?

If HTML code is used in an XHTML file without following XHTML's strict rules (e.g., improper case for tags, missing quotes for attributes), errors will occur, and the page may not render correctly, as shown in the video example with uppercase tags and unquoted attributes.

What are some of the advantages of using XHTML?

XHTML provides stricter syntax rules, making it easier for developers to write clean, consistent, and error-free code. It ensures better compatibility with XML-based systems and is more reliable in environments where machine readability is important.

Why is HTML5 recommended over XHTML for beginners?

HTML5 is recommended over XHTML because it is more flexible, easier to learn, and widely supported across modern browsers. HTML5 also includes more features and is the current standard for web development, making it a better starting point for beginners.

What is the significance of using lowercase tags in XHTML?

In XHTML, lowercase tags are mandatory because the language is case sensitive. This ensures consistent behavior and compatibility across different web platforms, while HTML does not enforce case sensitivity.