HTML5 Overview

HTML5 Overview

With an official release scheduled by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C site:w3.org) and the first specification started in 2008, HTML5 gained media prominence in 2010. The W3C also recognized the work of the WHATWG group ( http://www.whatwg.org) which works on a more flexible version of HTML, and from this union HTML5 was born. It will be the new standard for HTML, XHTML, and the HTML DOM, however several browsers and a legion of developer communities have been coming together every day, making it clear that HTML5 is increasingly present in WEB development.

HTML5 proposes transparency. Object manipulation has become easy without the need for intrusive methods. Unlike previous versions, HTML5 provides tools for CSS and Javascript, which through their APIs facilitate manipulation work, making the application lighter and more functional.

New tags were created and others had their functions changed; we now have specific tags for the footer <footer> intended for site footer information, signatures, addresses, copyright, etc.; header <header> for all introductory information or navigation-aid elements such as tags intended for H1, H2 titles, etc.; <aside> represents a group of content with little relation to the main content, but relevant like sidebars with banners or service information, etc.

For menus we have the <nav> tag; <section> for page sections; the <article> tags for content like news, posts. Thus, HTML5 solves a deficiency existing in previous versions, which is the lack of a naming standard for IDs, Classes, or tags.

HTML5 modifies the way code is written and information is organized on the page; it is more semantic, with less code and more interactive without the need to install plugins and lose performance.

Starting with the release of HTML5 and CSS3, these technologies will be separated into modules. Previously, when a version of HTML or CSS was released, it was necessary to test the entire specification together.

CSS3 properties were divided into small groups, with a specific group to handle Background properties, another for Border properties, and so on. Each group is independent and can have new features released independently of other groups.

Now HTML5 enables a new dynamic – which on the other hand can cause browser compatibility issues, as one browser may update CSS3 while another may not. It is certain that only time will show how the market and browser vendors will adapt to HTML5.