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Building according to web standards: Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) 4.01
HTML is widely used on the Web as a way of structuring content in text documents. This structure is called markup. Web browsers interpret this structure and present it to the user of the programme. This presentation can be graphic, or assume an alternative form that suits the user. For instance, a blind user could have his or her computer read the structured content of a page out loud.
Using CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), web developers can make suggestions to the browser about how this structure should be presented.
Use HTML 4.01 or XHTML 1.0 according to the W3C specifications for the markup of websites.
Guideline R-pd.2.1
There are three versions of the HTML 4.01 specification. These apply, to websites as follows:
- The Transitional version
Use the Transitional version only if use of the Strict version is impossible or undesirable - The Strict version
Use the Strict version whenever possible - The Frameset version
Do not use frames.
Use of deprecated elements is strongly discouraged. These elements are part of the standard, although most are not meaningful markup and violate the principle of separation of structure and presentation.
Do not use any markup which is referred to as deprecated (outmoded) in the W3C specifications.
Guideline R-pd.2.2
The Transitional version
The Transitional version is the simple version of HTML 4.01 and is pre-eminently suited to modifying and adding to existing websites. This version offers the web developer a great deal of freedom and does not impose any restrictions in relation to specific presentational principles.
Adopting the Transitional version may therefore seem an attractive option, but its use is discouraged for the following reasons:
- The Transitional version is less structural than the Strict version
- The Transitional version allows constructions the use of which is discouraged. Examples include opening new windows by means of the target attribute and the use of frames and iframes
- The Transitional version literally is a ‘transitional version’ - a transition from a chaotic to a more structured way of building websites.
When modifying an existing website: only use the Transitional version of HTML 4.01 or XHTML 1.0 if it is not possible or desirable to use the Strict version.
Guideline R-pd.2.3
The Strict version
The Strict version is recommended, in particular for new websites. This version has are a number of advantages.
- Strict is more structural; when using the markup, web developers should clearly specify what the exact content is.
- Since the markup is more specific, web developers have a better hold on the presentation of page elements through CSS.
- In the Strict version,most markup for visual effect has been trimmed out. Web developers are thus stimulated to use CSS for visual effect. See also Separation of structure and presentation.
- In the Strict version most markup that can impair the usability and accessibility of sites has been trimmed out. For example, markup for frames, iframes and new windows has been removed from Strict.
HTML 4.01 Strict is the basis for an ISO Standard for HTML. A big difference between W3C HTML and ISO HTML is that the latter makes greater demands on the use of descriptive markup and the order of particular elements in the source code.
When building a new website: only use the Strict version of HTML 4.01 or XHTML 1.0.
Guideline R-pd.2.4
Links and references
The Frameset version
There is yet a third version of HTML, the Frameset version. This applies to pages that contain a frameset. Since the use of frames on websites is discouraged, this version has no further relevance.
Do not use frames on websites. Therefore, do not use the Frameset version of HTML 4.01 or XHTML 1.0 either.
Guideline R-pd.2.5
