HTML5

HTML5 APIs and related technologies taxonomy and status

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HTML5 is the fifth and current major version of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), the code that describes web pages. It is a significant revision of the standard that has been instrumental in the development and growth of the World Wide Web. HTML5 was developed to solve compatibility problems that affected the current standard of HTML at the time, aiming to improve the language with support for the latest multimedia while keeping it easily readable by humans and consistently understood by computers and devices such as web browsers, parsers, etc.

Overview

HTML5 introduces a number of new elements and attributes that reflect typical usage on modern websites. For example, it offers new elements like `<nav>` for navigation links, `<article>` for independent, self-contained content, `<section>` for sections of a document, `<header>` and `<footer>` for introductory content and footer content respectively, and `<figure>` for self-contained content, typically referenced as a single unit from the main flow of the document, such as illustrations, diagrams, photos, code listings, etc.

Moreover, HTML5 aims to integrate multimedia and graphical content on the web without the need for plug-ins and APIs. New elements such as `<video>`, `<audio>`, and `<canvas>` allow users to include such content easily. The `<canvas>` element, for instance, can be used to draw graphics on the fly via scripting (usually JavaScript).

Features

HTML5 includes detailed processing models to encourage more interoperable implementations; it extends, improves, and rationalizes the markup available for documents and introduces JavaScript APIs for complex web applications. For the same reasons, HTML5 is also aimed at cross-platform mobile applications, with features designed for low-powered devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Among the many new features, some notable ones include: - Local storage: HTML5 provides more sophisticated storage options than previous versions of HTML. This includes Web Storage (local and session storage for storing data on the client-side) and IndexedDB for more complex applications. - Offline capabilities: With the application cache, web applications can work offline. This feature enables applications to run without an internet connection, improving accessibility and user experience. - Geolocation: HTML5 can retrieve the geographical location of a device. This is useful for location-based services and applications. - Enhanced forms: New attributes for form elements like date, time, email, url, and search types make web forms more interactive and easier to use.

Compatibility

HTML5 is designed to be backward compatible with previous versions of HTML. Websites and applications that are built using HTML5 will work in older browsers, though some advanced features may not be supported. Modern web browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Microsoft Edge, offer extensive support for HTML5.

Impact

The introduction of HTML5 has had a profound impact on the web. It has made the development of web applications more straightforward, eliminating the need for third-party plugins for multimedia content, and has significantly improved the semantic structure of web documents. HTML5's cross-platform support has also been a key factor in the rise of mobile web applications.

Future Developments

The development of HTML5 is ongoing, with the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) continuously working on new extensions and improvements. The focus is on enhancing the capabilities of the web as a platform for application development, including areas such as Web Components, which aim to provide a stronger foundation for building complex web applications.

HTML5 Resources
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