The HTML standard, maintained by the Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group (WhatWG), is the backbone of modern web development. This specification provides the rules and guidelines for creating web documents, which can range from simple static pages to complex interactive applications. To fully comprehend the HTML standard, it is essential to grasp the terminology it employs. Here we delves into the key terminology used in the HTML standard, shedding light on how it distinguishes between various attributes, properties, and document types.
- Content Attributes and IDL Attributes: In the HTML standard, you'll come across two categories of attributes: content attributes and IDL attributes. Content attributes are often used when referring to attributes in the context of HTML and XML. When the specification isn't clear about which type of attribute is being discussed, the generic terms "content attributes" are used. IDL attributes, on the other hand, are attributes defined on Interface Definition Language (IDL) interfaces. This distinction is vital to understanding the underlying structure of HTML elements and how they relate to JavaScript object properties.
- Properties: The HTML standard uses the term "properties" to encompass both JavaScript object properties and CSS properties. However, when the context makes it unclear, you'll find specific qualifications like "object properties" for JavaScript and "CSS properties" for styles. This ensures that developers understand the intended use of the term in the given context.
- HTML Syntax vs. XML Syntax: The HTML standard often discusses features in the context of both HTML and XML syntax. This implies that when a feature applies to one syntax, it also applies to the other. In cases where a feature is specific to one language and doesn't apply to the other, the standard explicitly mentions this. This clear distinction ensures that developers don't make incorrect assumptions about feature compatibility between HTML and XML.
- Document: The term "document" in the HTML standard is a versatile one. It is used to refer to any form of content created using HTML. This includes everything from simple, static documents to complex interactive applications. The term "document" encompasses Document objects and their descendant DOM trees. It can also refer to serialized byte streams that adhere to either the HTML or XML syntax, depending on the context.
- HTML Document and XML Document: In the context of DOM structures, the HTML standard uses the terms "HTML document" and "XML document" as defined in the Document Object Model (DOM). These terms specifically denote two different modes that Document objects can be in. They help distinguish between the handling of HTML and XML documents within the DOM structure, ensuring precise communication.
- Byte Streams: When dealing with byte streams, the HTML standard categorizes resources into "HTML documents" and "XML documents" based on their MIME types. Resources labeled as "text/html" are considered HTML documents, while those with an XML MIME type are referred to as XML documents. This distinction is crucial when processing and rendering web content based on its associated content type.
- Visual Terminology: The HTML standard occasionally employs terms like "shown," "displayed," and "visible" when discussing how a document is presented to the user. It's important to note that these terms aren't limited to visual media. They apply to various types of media in equivalent ways, ensuring that the standard's guidelines are relevant to diverse user experiences.
