Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Programming Discussion : html vs. XML

[ep2002]

Hi all,

I'm trying to understand the differences between the 2 & whether it's worth the headache finding someone who can do xml, or should I just leave my site to be coded in html & CSS?

Even JavaScript seems to be an issue b/c not all people have JS enabled.

Please give me your povs.

Thanks & have a great day


Michelle

[christowang]

May want to check this out:

http://www.w3c.org/MarkUp/Activity

That being said, most browsers will support Transitional XHTML without problems. Is it worth it convert old stuff over? That would be your preference, but your probably won't see any advantage at the moment.

[inimino]

You want XHTML, which is an application of XML. XML itself is a much more broad specification.

[Burhan]

XML != HTML, so you can't compare them. Its apples and oranges.

XML is for the definition of data so that it can be transferred reliable over networks (between two different systems).

HTML is the language that allows you to mark up text so that it will display in user agents (ie, browsers) with some formatting. It allows for linking two documents (or resources) together by the use of hyperlinks.

The two are different, and shouldn't be fused together.

XHTML is a version of HTML that follows stricter rules that allow it to become "xml-like".

[gogocode]

Originally posted by fyrestrtr
XML != HTML, so you can't compare them. Its apples and oranges.

XHTML is a version of HTML that follows stricter rules that allow it to become "xml-like".

HTML (at least with tightening) can be written as a well-formed XML dialect. XHTML is XML, following an appropriate DTD.

HTML traditionally is a 'loose' specification, XML is strict.

SGML begat HTML, HTML begat XML.

When it comes down to it, it's all just a syntax for data markup.

[inimino]

Originally posted by gogocode
SGML begat HTML, HTML begat XML.

HTML is an application of SGML, the same relationship does not hold for HTML and XML.

It would be more accurate to say that XML was a development and simplification of the original goals of SGML.

XML was not developed as a replacement for HTML.

[Rich2k]

Originally posted by fyrestrtr

XHTML is a version of HTML that follows stricter rules that allow it to become "xml-like".

Not quite true I'm afraid. Truely compliant XHTML actually has an XML declaration at the top. XHTML is an application of XML.

[Burhan]

Yes, but hardly anyone adds the xml declaration because of the famous quirks-mode issue.

If you add the xml declaration to a valid xhtml file, then you have a xml file.

[Salathe]

Hi Michelle,

To answer your query. I would advise going with well-formed XHTML Transitonal (with CSS) for now simply because of the transitional nature!

As far as JavaScript (JS) goes, you do need to know what you're doing when using JS. Ideally any features which you implement using JS shouldn't affect the function of the page when JS is disabled. In other words, don't rely on visitors having JS enabled in their browser.

I would also ignore all of the posts above which really didn't help you find your way whatsoever -- such is the nature of online conversation I'm afraid.

Cheers,
Peter

Useful Articles:
XHTML - http://www.webreference.com/authoring/xhtml/

[ep2002]

Hey,

LOL, how did you know I was lost at that point.

Sorry for the delay, I had huge issues here I had to take care of & I'm just now getting back to all the posts.

Okay so as far as JS goes, I have to have a backup something or other just in case people don't have JS enabled or I should nix it altogether?

Right now I have to go thru & find tons of sites. The WD wants me to show him sites I like (yeh right) so he can get an idea of what to design.

Any suggestions?

Thanks & I hope you are having a good day


Michelle

Originally posted by Salathe
Hi Michelle,

To answer your query. I would advise going with well-formed XHTML Transitonal (with CSS) for now simply because of the transitional nature!

As far as JavaScript (JS) goes, you do need to know what you're doing when using JS. Ideally any features which you implement using JS shouldn't affect the function of the page when JS is disabled. In other words, don't rely on visitors having JS enabled in their browser.

I would also ignore all of the posts above which really didn't help you find your way whatsoever -- such is the nature of online conversation I'm afraid.

Cheers,
Peter

Useful Articles:
XHTML - http://www.webreference.com/authoring/xhtml/

[inimino]

JavaScript is fine, but you should build a version of the site that works without it, and use it to add functionality.

If JavaScript is required to use the site, then you have a problem. If you have a good Web designer you should have to worry about this.

[inimino]

What I meant to say is:

If you have a good Web designer you should NOT have to worry about this.

[ep2002]

I understood what you meant

Well right now I'm just hiring someone to do the design element, not the coding, other than CSS & html of course. When I do hire someone to do the coding part, I'll keep that in mind, but now that I think I'm getting rid of the newscroller, I think that will solve the JS problem.

Thanks


Michelle

Originally posted by inimino
What I meant to say is:

If you have a good Web designer you should NOT have to worry about this.