The HTML5 language is the “universal language” spoken in web design. If you want to get started in the world of page development or you are simply interested in knowing how one is built on the inside, we encourage you to read this article: you will discover why it is so important.
What do HTML acronyms stand for?
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language, and this is the fifth version of this language that is used around the world to create the infrastructure of virtually any web page. Thanks to this you can see texts, images, videos and much more on the screens.
- HyperText: A hypertext is basically a text that can be linked to other content. This is the foundation of the internet we know today, with a network of pages, files and other resources connected to each other.
- Markup: Tags are part of the internal face of a web page, which tells the browser how to display something specific. For example, the <i> and </i> they mark a text that will be displayed in italics.
- Language : It is called language because, like any other in the world, it has its rules, its structure when writing it and a series of issues to take into account. Thus, everyone who knows the HTML language will be able to understand a web page.
Keep in mind that defining HTML as a language does not make it a programming language (as JavaScript, Python, C + +, Visual Basic… are). The latter have a series of conditions, loops and other functions that do not appear in the markup language.
How does the HTML5 language work, and what is it for?
The first thing you need is a web browser and a server. The browser sends a request to the server (with the format https://…) and the server looks for that information in its files to display the required page to the browser.
In addition, HTML5 is not only the latest version of HTML, but includes a group of specifications that allow better web development and formatting in its final perception, such as XHTML1, CSS and DOM. Therefore, you will not only be able to create the structure of a website, but you will also have access to other options such as the inclusion of audio and video without the need to use Flash.
Taking this last example, and using the aforementioned tags, inserting <video> and <audio> we will be able to play videos and audios directly from the browser, so the weight of the web and its load will be less. You can also insert, through other tags, multimedia files hosted on other platforms such as YouTube.
But this is not all, the HTML5 language also makes it possible to detect the location of the visitor who accesses the page. This can be very useful, for example, to display the web in a specific language or to improve the user experience by showing local content. Of course, it must be done always informing the user and within the current legalities.
Advantages of using the HTML5 language
Now that you know what HTML5 is and what it’s for, let’s review some advantages of working with this language.
Free and easy
You don’t need anything more than a notepad on your computer to start programming in HTML5. You can save it in the .html format and view it in any browser. Even so, we do not recommend it, as it can be really complicated and take more time than necessary.
In any case, you don’t need any very specific or expensive software to achieve interesting advances, and there are plenty of free options on the web. With a few notions you will already be able to see some very interesting formats and, by digging a little, you will be able to create true works of art.
A very tidy code
The new version of HTML has removed some tags and added many others that make it possible to clarify the terrain on which we are working. The <header> tag, for example, allows you to add meta information that gives your web page meaning without actually displaying it to the user.
These tags, which make the language cleaner, help to better understand the entire structure and to find possible errors in an easier way. The developer can work better and faster to achieve amazing results.
Design responsive
The HTML5 language is compatible with all mobile devices that are handled with the most up-to-date browsers. Just like on a computer, the same HTML document can include its own specifications for mobile phones or work on development through a specialized framework.
This is one of the most demanded and used features, since the use of the Internet in portable devices has been growing exponentially in recent years. Improving the experience and matching it to desktop users was a priority.
Wide compatibility
It wouldn’t make sense to develop a website that some users couldn’t see, so there are no problems here. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Edge can perfectly support the HTML5 language, so they will be able to display all the options and labels that you have set.
If there were users with very old versions or obsolete browsers, you could go through several free websites that tell you what functions of your page are not compatible with them.
Storage improvement
In addition to cookies, HTML5 has added local storage that does not transfer user information to the server, so it is always safe. This novelty means that information is not lost even if the browser is closed or cookies are deleted, since they are stored on the part of the user.
Since the browser itself stores this information, it allows web applications and heavier platforms to make use of the cache to improve loading time. Another of many additions that improve the user experience.
As you may have seen, the HTML5 language has been a very important step forward when it comes to improving all the features of web pages, both for users and for the developers themselves. Everything you read on Doowebs is written in this “language”!
Do you have any questions? Ask us. We are experts in web design and maintenance. We design websites tailored to your specific needs to provide an optimal user experience.