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To be fair, XHTML is a far-fetched language as of this point. But if you’re a geek like me, you’d know that simplicity is the best virtue. And that is exactly why you should be working with HTML.
To understand the main difference between HTML and XHTML, you need to look at how each code is treated. Without further adieu, let’s understand why we coders have mostly ditched XHTML for HTML. Along the way, learn more about their features, advantages, disadvantages, and use cases.
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the foundation of web development and uses tags to define the structure and content. On the other hand, XHTML (Extensible HyperText Markup Language) works with a set of predefined rules.
The main HTML and XHTML difference is flexibility. You can’t say the same about XHTML, as it is notorious for upholding the rigidity of XML in which it is built. In short, HTML defines the contents of a webpage more elegantly and allows you more leeway.
Need ideas for your next HTML project? Take a pick.
Feature | HTML | XHTML |
Basis | SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) | XML (Extensible Markup Language) |
Syntax | More lenient —allows for missing closing tags for certain elements (e.g., <br>), unquoted attribute values (for certain attributes), attribute minimization (e.g., <input type=text> instead of <input type="text">) | Stricter —All elements to have closing tags, attributes to be quoted, and no attribute minimization |
Case sensitivity | Not case-sensitive (e.g., <BR> is equivalent to <br>) | Case-sensitive (all tags and attributes must be lowercase) |
DTD (Document type definition) | Can use multiple DTDs depending on the version of HTML (e.g., HTML 4.01 or HTML5) | Requires a specific DTD (e.g., XHTML 1.0 Strict or XHTML 1.1) |
Namespaces | Not supported | Supported, allowing integration with other XML languages |
Deprecated attributes | May use deprecated attributes for backward compatibility | Does not allow deprecated attributes to ensure stricter validation and future-proofing |
Validation | Not mandatory | Can be validated against a specific DTD for better error checking and interoperability |
Comments | Uses `` syntax | Uses XML comment syntax (``) |
Content Types | Served with text/html content type | Served with application/xhtml+xml content type |
Current Use | Dominant language for web development | Rarely used in new development; HTML5 has become the standard |
The benefits are obvious:
Like all good things, HTML has its fair share of drawbacks:
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This code demonstrates different heading levels (H1-H6) and basic text formatting within a paragraph.
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This code creates a link to another website and displays an image with an alternative text description (important for accessibility).
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This code creates an unordered list (ul) with list items (li). You can create ordered lists with `<ol>` tags.
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This code creates a simple table with headers (th) and data cells (td).
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Here are the benefits:
The most common fallouts are discussed here:
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Feeling lost? Go through the HTML tutorial: the complete guide to the language. For now, here are some common errors in HTML and XHTML, along with how to fix them in short examples:
1. Missing or mismatched closing tags
2. Incorrect case sensitivity (XHTML only)
3. Unquoted attribute values
4. Missing Document Type Declaration (XHTML only)
5. Using deprecated elements or attributes
I may have just told you the differences between HTML and XHTML, but truth be told, they have their strengths too. While HTML is known for being progressive and having a large fan following, XHTML is no less useful with its set of advanced webpage blueprints.
So, to sum up, the goal remains the same i.e. to create functional web pages. Both of them even use the same elements like <h1> for headings and <p> for paragraphs.
To sum up even better, HTML is like writing a casual text, while HTML is a formal essay. After all, when it comes to the XHTML vs HTML5 war, both parties stand equally equipped.
Read more about XHTML in this short read.
Migrating HTML to XHTML lets you make the code stricter. How so? Read below.
XHTML has seen its fair share of days and so has HTML. The only difference between HTML and XHTML caters to different levels of expertise. If you’re wondering what is XHTML as opposed to the versatility posed by HTML5, you should check out more blogs to understand the difference.
Now that we’ve wrapped things up, here’s a nugget of wisdom. Consider taking up a professional certificate course to take your development career a step further. And guess what? upGrad offers some of the best courses out there. Do check them out!
The primary difference between HTML and XHTML lies in how strictly the rules of coding are followed. For instance, HTML is more flexible and omits certain tags without creating a fuss while XHTML demands a well-written code for any function.
HTML5 is generally considered superior to XHTML due to its updated features and broader support, despite XHTML's historical emphasis on functionality and usability.
If you are looking for an example of XHTML, many have been illustrated in this tutorial.
Although XHTML isn’t divided into different types in itself, it follows the DTD. According to those guidelines, there are 3 options —XHTML 1.0 Strict, XHTML 1.0 Transitional, and XHTML 1.0 Frameset.
XHTML started as an attempt to create a standardized version of HTML for building web pages. For now, it is mostly used for theoretical purposes and systems requiring integration with new code.
XHTML is based on Extensible Markup Language (XML.)
When it comes to the XHTML vs HTML game, there are noticeable differences. Take, for instance, case sensitivity which shows up in XHTML but not in HTML. You can find other differences like closing tags, attributes, and even document type declaration (DTD.)
HTML offers more flexibility and updates comparatively. These features are far superior to the early-day XHTML layout.
Mukesh Kumar
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upGrad does not grant credit; credits are granted, accepted or transferred at the sole discretion of the relevant educational institution offering the diploma or degree. We advise you to enquire further regarding the suitability of this program for your academic, professional requirements and job prospects before enr...