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.
Browsers
Which browser is currently most popular? The current stats are shown in the chart below from StatCounter.
Resources & Chapter Links
W3C Resources
Browser Downloads
- 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! - Internet Explorer 8
- Chrome
- Opera
- Mobile Browser Emulators
- .mobi emulator
- Opera mini emulator
- iPhone emulator
HTML 5 The Next Step for Web Markup
A W3C Working Group is drafting a new version of HTML and XHTML — HTML 5. HTML 5 is a superset of HTML 4, provides for the use of XHTML-like syntax, and is intended to be backward compatible.
HTML 5 Resources
- HTML5 W3C Working Draft
- W3C Web Developer’s Guide to HTML 5
- W3C Interactive Chart of HTML 4 and HTML 5 Elements
- HTML 5 Doctor
- HTML 5 Demos
- HTM5 Cheat Sheet
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 Web Professonal 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
- Page 26, Second paragraph: "second line" should be "first line"
- Page 33, Be sure to add an ending ">" to the DTD statement in Hands-On Practice 2.3
- Fish Creek Animal Hospital Case Study
Page 65 When you configure the footer, place your name in an e-mail link on the line under the copyright information.
Questions or Comments?
The author would like to hear from you!
Send an e-mail to webdevfoundations@gmail.com