Chapter 2 XHTML Basics
This chapter introduces Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), the language used to create Web pages, and eXtensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML), the latest version of HTML. The chapter begins with an introduction to the syntax of XHTML, continues with the anatomy of a Web page, and introduces block-level and inline formatting and demonstrates hyperlinks as sample pages are created. You will learn more if you work along with the sample pages in the text. Coding XHTML is a skill and every skill improves with practice.
FireFox vs Internet Explorer
Mozilla's latest browser, Firefox, was downloaded over 10 million times the first month it was available. Users are citing advantages such as tabbed browsing, improved security, and live bookmarks. Recent surveys have found that Internet Explorer's popularity has dipped for the first time in years.
Will Firefox replace Internet Explorer as the most popular browser? Only time will tell, but Firefox's market share increases are impressive. Recent reports by Janco Associates (10% market share). OneStat.com (14% US market share), and Net Applications (12% market share) show continued growth. View Lunch 2.0 for a look inside the Mozilla Corporation.
Resources & Chapter Links
- W3C Resources
- Browser Downloads
- Netscape
- Mozilla
- Firefox
Free"Web Developer" Extension for Firefox
This tool will save you hours of work—validate your XHTML and CSS with just a few mouse clicks—view image information—and more! - Opera
- Mobile Browser Emulators
- .mobi emulator
- Opera mini emulator
- iPhone emulator
HTML 5 The Next Step for Web Markup
An independent group, WHAT-WG (Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group), has been working outside of the official W3C since 2004 towards a new "version" of HTML. In March 2007 the W3C announced a new offical HTML Working Group that is expected to build on and extend WHAT-WG's efforts.
According to the W3C HTML Working Group's charter, their charge is to recommend a new standard that combines HTML and XHTML: "This group will maintain and produce incremental revisions to the HTML specification, which includes the series of specifications previously published as XHTML version 1. Both XML and 'classic HTML' syntaxes will be produced." More Information on HTML5.
The Web Development Profession
Web development is a field that is ever-changing.
What's a web developer to do?
Consider joining one or more professional organizations.
The World Organization of Webmasters (WOW) is a leading organization in providing certification and educational resources to web professionals in all phases of their career. WOW offers a variety of resources for web developers including workshops, webinars, courses, and the WOW Technology Minute. Visit the web sites of these organizations to find out if there is a local chapter near you. If there are no local chapters, perhaps you can join the national organization and be a founder of a new local chapter right in your area.
Some web developers also consider joining an organization such as the HTML Writer's Guild which recently merged with the International Association of Webmasters. This organization offers online classes in technologies related to web development. It also provides listservs for members to discuss issues related to the web world including HTML, XML, CSS, and the business of web development.
Meeting (virtually or in-person) with other information technology students and professionals can help you develop skills and may even open some doors for you when you are ready for your first (or next) job.
Web Standards
As you work through this textbook, you'll create web pages that follow Web standards using XHTML 1.0 Transitional and CSS. View this Business Week slideshow to find out how and why Web standards were developed.
Chapter Updates
Hands-On Practice 2.7 (pages 41-42)
You may notice that the code on page 41 includes a list item for iPlanet ( <li>iPlanet</li> ) but that Figure 2.13 and Figure 2.14 on page 42 display the text "Sun Java System Web Server".
In order for your web page to match the figures and the suggested solution, replace <li>iPlanet</li>
with
<li>Sun Java System Web Server</li>.
Questions or Comments?
The author would like to hear from you!
Send an e-mail to webdevfoundations@gmail.com