HTML5

HTML5 is a mark up language used for developing websites/applications. It is the fith revision of the HTML standard and is being developed as a collaboration between the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C – the organisation that maintains web standards) and the Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group (WHATWG).

Since 1999 and the introduction of the previous version, HTML4.01, the web has changed considerably and HTML5 will address these changes.  According to the W3Schools website¹ certain rules for HTML5 were established as outlined below:

• New features should be based on HTML, CSS, DOM, and JavaScript
• Reduce the need for external plugins (like Flash)
• Better error handling
• More markup to replace scripting
• HTML5 should be device independent
• The development process should be visible to the public

HTML5 will include a number new features to enhance or replace those found in HTML4.01. These new features include²:

• The <canvas> element for 2D drawing
• The <video> and <audio> elements for media playback
• Support for local storage
• New content-specific elements, like <article>, <footer>, <header>, <nav>, <section>
• New form controls, like calendar, date, time, email, url, search

HTML5 is currently being used by a number of companies around the world, although as yet it is not an official standard and no browsers will have full HTML5 support. W3C has said that it is developing a comprehensive test suite to achieve broad interoperability for HTML5’s full specification by 2014³. 

Following figure shows the different APIs and DOMs related to HTML5.

 

Click here to view samples of websites designed completely using HTML5. According to Binvision.com 34 percent of the 100 most popular websites use HTML5, with leading search engines and Social Media Sites topping the list. 

How can developing in HTML5 help your business?

A website, or webpage that is developed using HTML5 can be viewed easily through many different platforms, eradicating the need to create separate versions for Windows, Mac, Apple iOS, Android, RIM Blackberry etc. This, coupled with their ability to be easily maintained, will reduce both the time and cost involved with website development and maintenance.

The new features of HTML5 will allow users to create websites that are both more appealing and simpler to navigate for members. This combination should help to attract more visitors to your website or App.

The free W3 Schools tutorials offer an excellent opportunity to begin learning HTML5 and can be accessed here.

¹ http://www.w3schools.com/html5/html5_intro.asp

² http://www.w3schools.com/html5/html5_intro.asp

³ http://www.w3.org/2011/02/htmlwg-pr.html