Understanding HTML 5

The next generation HTML 5 is here to stay. It is considered as the best option for building web sites and web pages. It is predicted to dominate the web and thoroughly alter the manner in which a website is developed.

In 2000, HTML 4 was christened as the official language for developing a web page. Ten years later, which equals to eternity on the web, came the next generation HTML, the HTML 5. It will dominate the web and entirely change the way of developing a website as well as web-based applications. The more a developer knows about HTML 5, the better prepared he or she will be to direct an organization to take full advantage of this web standard.

For those who are not so familiar, HTML, or HyperText Markup Language is a formatting system which controls the appearance and layout of web pages. It informs web browsers such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome and Safari on how to display paragraphs, headings, lists where links point, where to insert images and how to display text in tables among others. In theory, HTML 5 would minimize the reliance on proprietary plug-ins, like Adobe Flash. Meaning, that devices that may not support Flash, could leverage the HTML 5 functionality, enabling the building of apps that would run on more devices. Some other functionalities include drag and drop feature, document editing offline storage of data which means users access sites developed in it with no need for an internet connection, built-in video and geo-location, which is the ability of identifying real-world location of a computer on the web.

HMTL 5 would not necessarily change the way websites are built, developers need not build websites in a whole new way, but has the potential of simplifying the toolset which programmers use to building websites, lower the reliance on rich media plug-ins. The projected date for the final specifications to be ratified is a long way off, in 2022. Nonetheless, since it is an evolution of HTML 4, developers are already working with it.

People are holding back on using it today. This is because it has not been completely ratified as a standard. However, it would be beneficial to start using it to create web sites and web pages. The number one reason to start using it today is because it is the future. Start to use it now so as not to be left behind. HTML will not be going anywhere, and as more and more elements are adopted, more and more organizations would start developing in HTML 5. In actuality, it is just HTML, not something to be afraid of and not something to really need to relearn or figure out. HTML reduces the time of development. By concentrating on the current browsers and not being stuck on old ones, developers could focus on writing functions that work and look good while utilizing the latest tools. This makes the entire process fast and truly rewarding for developers themselves.

Mobile devices are taking over the world and mobile adoption continues to grow very fast, meaning that more and more users utilize their mobile browsers to check out a website or applications. Today, the most mobile ready tool for the development of mobile sites and apps is HTML 5. With the death of Flash, everyone would now count on HTML to do mobile web app development. Mobile browsers have thoroughly adopted it, thus building projects that are mobile ready is as easy as constructing and designing for smaller touch screen displays, so the popularity of Responsive Design. Content was never closer to end users and it does not matter whether browsing on a desktop, on a laptop or on a smart phone. Although the smart phone market is contrasting with various supported operating systems as well as native apps, HTML 5 is supported all throughout the entire spectrum of mobile vendors, allowing content delivery, product, service to a wide range of customers, and this is what matters.

HTML 5 could mean various things to different people. To most web developers, it is an incremental HTML evolution, thus it is less exciting than periphery technologies like canvas, and SVG standardized audio/video, geo-location and many more. Most of the clients and probably the boss would have varying opinions. HTML to them is a white-hot technology. HTML 5 is here to stay and has the support from the community, browser vendors and device. Furthermore, it is a great way of putting content closer to the user. Working with the current technologies is always fun. With a fast growing mobile market, it is an exciting and new place to be. It helps with all that, thus in conclusion, HTML 5 truly matter and should matter to each and every web developer, wherever they may be in the world.