An Introduction To DHTML

Man working on a laptop.

HTML was born because straight-forward text wasn’t enough to capture the sheer quantity of data on the Internet. HTML is a subset of SGML, or Standard Generalized Mark-up Language, which changes the presentation of data in documents. It lets us display content with lots of shapes, sizes and colors, plus forms and hyperlinks.

But HTML has some limitations, which is why we have JavaScript! JavaScript allows us to do more complicated things like calculating tax or responding to user commands. It’s specifically meant for use on the Internet. When you combine HTML with JavaScript, you get DHTML – Dynamic HyperText Markup Language – and it lets us change our webpages while they’re being displayed, creating powerful animations.

In terms of browsers, Internet Explorer implemented DHTML first, but Netscape was late to the party in NN4 (although they’ve since caught up with DOM Level 1). Now that we know a bit about DHTML, let’s take a look at the DOM (Document Object Model).

The DOM

The Document Object Model (DOM) and the Browser Object Model (BOM) are important elements of DHTML technology. The DOM is nested inside the BOM and stores information about the currently loaded document. It contains detailed information about the various elements present in the HTML document, such as title, styling, script, body content like paragraphs, tables, hyperlinks etc.

The BOM holds more general details related to a user’s system such as browser type, location of documents, screen resolution and history of web browsing among others. JavaScript can access and change both models during run-time hence allowing us to create dynamic webpages with ever-changing content. This provides us with a great deal of flexibility and power when it comes to manipulating webpages.

Programming DHTML

Programming DHTML is a delicate art. It’s essential to give HTML elements meaningful names so that we stay organized and can anticipate what scenarios users may encounter on the page. In addition, DHTML provides its own set of features that enable creative techniques to further enhance webpages. This series will explore some of those possibilities.

What is the Difference Between HTML and DHTML

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the standard markup language used to create web pages and web applications. It is a set of tags that describe the content of a page, such as images, text, links, etc. HTML can be used to create basic websites and applications with limited functionality.

DHTML (Dynamic HTML) is an enhanced version of the standard HTML that allows for more dynamic and interactive web pages. With DHTML, developers can create content and features such as animations, transitions, drag-and-drop tools, complex forms, and other interactive elements with JavaScript, CSS and the Document Object Model (DOM).

The main difference between HTML and DHTML is that HTML is used to create static web pages, while DHTML can be used to create dynamic and interactive websites. While HTML provides the structure of a web page, DHTML adds additional functionality to make the page more dynamic. Additionally, many modern websites are now using a combination of HTML and DHTML for an even richer user experience.

Overall, HTML is a basic building block for creating websites, while DHTML adds enhanced functionality to the page. Both are important components in today’s modern web development. Understanding the difference between HTML and DHTML can help developers create more engaging and functional websites.

Is DHTML Used Anymore?

Yes, DHTML is still used in many modern websites and applications however it is consider an outdated term today. As web development technology evolves, so do the ways developers use HTML and DHTML to create more dynamic experiences. For example, many popular websites rely heavily on JavaScript libraries such as jQuery or React to make their pages interactive and engaging. Similarly, other websites are now using DHTML for animation, transitions, and other appealing features.

Despite the emergence of modern web development techniques, HTML remains a fundamental building block for creating websites. While DHTML is not as widely used as it once was, understanding the differences between HTML and DHTML can be invaluable to any web developer looking to create dynamic and engaging experiences.

**References:**
1. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/dhtml-introduction/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_HTML
3. https://www.seobility.net/en/wiki/DHTML

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