Programming & DSA

HTML Vs. HTML5: Understanding the Evolution of Web Markup

Delve into the realm of HTML and HTML5 differences. Learn how HTML5's powerful features transform multimedia, SEO, and user experiences. Your guide to making the right choice.

Avinash Bidkar

Aug 30, 2023 • 4 min read

Introduction

The foundation of the worldwide web – HTML, stands for Hypertext Markup Language. HTML enables software developers to present content in a structured manner. It uses different elements and tags to create a web page in a specific structure.

Adapting to the changing needs, HTML has also made necessary modifications to create a user-friendly user experience. HTML 5 has been considered a turning point in the history of hypertext markup language.

As the language has made significant changes, the latest version is comparatively easier than the earlier one.

HTML

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup language. It is used for developing websites and different web-based applications.

Let’s dive in deeper.

Hypertext – Hypertext is a link; when one clicks on it, it opens a web page. Two or more than two webpages can be connected via hypertext. It is quite similar to a hyperlink in that when one clicks on it; he is redirected to a new webpage.

Markup Language – A web Markup language is a text-encoding system used to create or define a text document to control its structure and format. It uses elements and tags to create structured web pages. There are different web markup languages available. The most commonly and widely used markup languages are HTML – Hypertext Markup Language, XML – Extensible markup language, and SGML standard generalized markup language.

Evolution of HTML

HTML was first developed by Tim Berneris Lee. The first version of HTML was known as HTML 1.0.

The second version of HTML, HTML 2.0, had some new features but was more or less similar to HTML 1.0.

HTML 3.0 was a powerful hypertext markup language developed after Dave Raggett introduced a fresh draft. It opened many opportunities for web developers to create new and creative web pages.

In 1997 came the fourth version of HTML called HTML 4.0; it brought new stylesheets, embedded objects, and improved accessibility features for people with disabilities.

HTML 5.0 is the latest version of the hypertext markup language. New modifications were added, and they came with better accessibility and functionality. It also includes support for multimedia and reduced usage of external plugging, making it the best version of HTML since its evolution.

HTML Vs. HTML5 Comparison

HTML	HTML 5
It was the very first HTML that came into existence	It is the latest version of HTM with better and improved performance and functions
For storing the temporary data, cookies were used	HTML 5 uses the database linked with the currently open webpage to store temporary data
Being an older version, HTML is not mobile friendly	HTML 5, being the latest version, is mobile friendly
This version of HTML did not support audio and video without using the Flash player support	Audio and video tags are used to support audio and video controls
It works on old browsers	It works on all new browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox, chrome, etc.
HTML, older version does not work or handles or help with inaccurate syntax	This latest version supports help and handles inaccurate syntax
It cannot track the location of the user through a web browser	It can easily track the location of the user through the web browser using location-searching tools and programs
To utilize vector graphics, various technologies such as VML, flash, etc., have to be operated	Vector graphics are already an added additional feature in the latest feature of HTML 5
Character encoding is a complex task to be completed	Character encoding is much easier as compared to the older version of HTML
Being the older version, it is not much fast and efficient when compared to the latest version	Being the latest version, it is a much more fast, flexible and efficient hypertext markup language
Various elements such as nav and header are not present	Elements such as nav and header are present
HTML does not come with web sockets	Full communication can be established with a server using web sockets of HTML 5
It does not allow the drag-and-drop feature	It allows drag and drop feature
Shapes like rectangles, circles, and triangles cannot be drawn	Shapes like rectangles, circles, and triangles can be easily drawn
The doctype declaration is quite a lengthy feature in HTML	The doctype declaration is simple and easy in HTML 5
HTML allows to program JavaScript in the browser	HTML 5 allows running JavaScript in the background of the browser
It may not be favorable for developers in case of speed, flexibility, and ease	It is much faster and more flexible, and easy for developers to develop web pages and web-based applications

Additionally, HTML 5 came up with other new and improvised features such as emails, URL uniform resource locator, search options, date and time, etc.

Conclusion

HTML and HTML 5 are part and parcel of the same markup language. Being the earliest and the oldest version of the language, it has certain issues which had to be dealt with that aligned with modern needs. HTML 5 came up with modifying the old features and new functionalities.

If you want to learn about HTML, you can start with the latest HTML edition, HTML 5. It requires certain codes to be manually converted, but it’s worth it.

The Hypertext Markup language or the HTML standards have been significantly improving and will keep updating to adapt to the changes.

FAQs:

What is HTML?

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup language. It is a standard language that allows developers to create web pages.

What is a tag in HTML?

A tag used in HTML is an element surrounded by brackets that helps define the web page structure.

Why should I learn HTML?

As mentioned earlier, HTML allows users to create web pages. It is a great learning tool for beginners as it is easy to learn and a great tool for beginners to learn web development.

From where can I learn about HTML?

There are many platforms available to learn about the Hypertext Markup Language. These include Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) Web Docs, W3Schools, Codecademy, and Coursera.

Does HTML 5 work on Mozilla Firefox?

Yes, HTML 5 works on all new browsers, including Mozilla Firefox.