XHTML is a combination of HTML and XML (EXtensible Markup Language).
XHTML consists of all the elements in HTML 4.01 combined with the syntax of XML.
Why XHTML?
We have reached a point where many pages on the WWW contain "bad" HTML.
The following HTML code will work fine if you view it in a browser, even if it does not follow the HTML rules:
XML is a markup language where everything has to be marked up correctly, which results in "well-formed" documents.
XML was designed to describe data and HTML was designed to display data.
Today's market consists of different browser technologies, some browsers run Internet on computers, and some browsers run Internet on mobile phones and hand helds. The last-mentioned do not have the resources or power to interpret a "bad" markup language.
Therefore - by combining HTML and XML, and their strengths, we got a markup language that is useful now and in the future - XHTML.
XHTML pages can be read by all XML enabled devices AND while waiting for the rest of the world to upgrade to XML supported browsers, XHTML gives you the opportunity to write "well-formed" documents now, that work in all browsers and that are backward browser compatible !!!
Introduction To XHTML
XHTML is a stricter and cleaner version of HTML.
What You Should Already Know
Before you continue you should have a basic understanding of the following:
HTML and the basics of building web pages
If you want to study HTML first, please read our HTML tutorial.
What Is XHTML?
XHTML stands for EXtensible HyperText Markup Language
XHTML is aimed to replace HTML
XHTML is almost identical to HTML 4.01
XHTML is a stricter and cleaner version of HTML
XHTML is HTML defined as an XML application
XHTML is a W3C Recommendation
XHTML is a W3C Recommendation
XHTML 1.0 became a W3C Recommendation January 26, 2000.
W3C defines XHTML as the latest version of HTML. XHTML will gradually replace HTML.
Stay updated with the latest W3C recommendations in our W3C tutorial.
All New Browsers Support XHTML
XHTML is compatible with HTML 4.01.
All new browsers have support for XHTML.
What You Should Already Know
Before you continue you should have a basic understanding of the following:
HTML and the basics of building web pages
If you want to study HTML first, please read our HTML tutorial.
What Is XHTML?
XHTML stands for EXtensible HyperText Markup Language
XHTML is aimed to replace HTML
XHTML is almost identical to HTML 4.01
XHTML is a stricter and cleaner version of HTML
XHTML is HTML defined as an XML application
XHTML is a W3C Recommendation
XHTML is a W3C Recommendation
XHTML 1.0 became a W3C Recommendation January 26, 2000.
W3C defines XHTML as the latest version of HTML. XHTML will gradually replace HTML.
Stay updated with the latest W3C recommendations in our W3C tutorial.
All New Browsers Support XHTML
XHTML is compatible with HTML 4.01.
All new browsers have support for XHTML.
XHTML Exam
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Why Should You Become Certified?
Life-long learning are the keywords to your future success.
Do you want a career with a future? You should add regular updates to your skills and knowledge. Unless, you have already decided that your current skills and job are good enough for your future.
Knowledge is power, especially in the current job market. Documentation of your skills enables you to move upwards in your organization.
Getting a certificate proves your commitment to upgrade your skills, gives you the credibility needed for more responsibilities, larger projects, and a higher salary.
In addition, documented knowledge is often the key factor when hiring new personnel. Your certificate might advance your career or help you to start a new one.
Also have in mind that employees with certifications increase their company's chances of retaining old and getting new customers. You will do your company a favor getting certified. Expect your company to support you in this.
How Does It Work?
You prepare for your exams by studying - free of charge - online at W3Schools.
You study at your own speed, at any time, from your own computer or any other location.
You test your skills - free of charge - with W3Schools online quizzes.
You apply for your exam online by paying an exam fee.
You take your exam online, at any time, and from any location that is convenient for you.
Study and train for your certificates at no cost
Study and train for your certificates when it is convenient
Study and train for your certificates from your own computer
Complete your studies in a few weeks
Take your exams over the Internet
Why Should You Become Certified?
Life-long learning are the keywords to your future success.
Do you want a career with a future? You should add regular updates to your skills and knowledge. Unless, you have already decided that your current skills and job are good enough for your future.
Knowledge is power, especially in the current job market. Documentation of your skills enables you to move upwards in your organization.
Getting a certificate proves your commitment to upgrade your skills, gives you the credibility needed for more responsibilities, larger projects, and a higher salary.
In addition, documented knowledge is often the key factor when hiring new personnel. Your certificate might advance your career or help you to start a new one.
Also have in mind that employees with certifications increase their company's chances of retaining old and getting new customers. You will do your company a favor getting certified. Expect your company to support you in this.
How Does It Work?
You prepare for your exams by studying - free of charge - online at W3Schools.
You study at your own speed, at any time, from your own computer or any other location.
You test your skills - free of charge - with W3Schools online quizzes.
You apply for your exam online by paying an exam fee.
You take your exam online, at any time, and from any location that is convenient for you.
HTML Summary
This tutorial has taught you how to use HTML to create your own web site.
HTML is the universal markup language for the Web. HTML lets you format text, add graphics, create links, input forms, frames and tables, etc., and save it all in a text file that any browser can read and display.
The key to HTML is the tags, which indicates what content is coming up.
For more information on HTML, please take a look at our HTML examples and our HTML reference.
Now You Know HTML, What's Next?
The next step is to learn XHTML and CSS.
XHTML
XHTML is the "new" HTML. The latest HTML recommendation is HTML 4.01. This is the last and final HTML version.
HTML will be replaced by XHTML, which is a stricter and cleaner version of HTML.
If you want to learn more about XHTML, please visit our XHTML tutorial.
CSS
CSS is used to control the style and layout of multiple Web pages all at once.
With CSS, all formatting can be removed from the HTML document and stored in a separate file.
CSS gives you total control of the layout, without messing up the document content.
To learn how to create style sheets, please visit our CSS tutorial.
The Head Element
The head element contains general information, also called meta-information, about a document. Meta means "information about".
You can say that meta-data means information about data, or meta-information means information about information.
Information Inside the Head Element
The elements inside the head element should not be displayed by a browser.
According to the HTML standard, only a few tags are legal inside the head section. These are: