HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language, the most widely used language for developing web applications. Berners-Lee created HTML in the year 1991, but it wasn’t until 1995 that it was first published. HTML4, which was published in 1999, was a popular breakthrough version. This article will discuss the difference between two versions: HTML vs HTML5.

What is HTML?

HTML is short for Hypertext Markup Language. It is used to create websites and web applications. Let’s break it down.

  • Hypertext: Hypertext refers to the “text wrapped within a text.” It is very similar to a hyperlink and contains an underlying text that, when clicked, redirects to a new webpage.
  • Markup language: A markup language is not necessarily a programming language. Instead, it is used to apply formatting and layout to a simple text document. This leads to more interactive and dynamic text content.

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History of HTML

  • Tim Berneris-Lee originally developed HTML; the first-ever version of HTML was HTML1.0.
  • HTML 2.0 was released in 1995. HTML 2.0 was not much different from HTML 1.0, except for a few new features.
  • Next came HTML 3.0, which is when Dave Raggett introduced the fresh draft on HTML. This draft included several new abilities and more powerful opportunities for web page developers to create their webpages.
  • HTML 4.0 was released in December 1997. It provided new tags for stylesheets, scripts, frames, embedded objects, more complex tables and forms, and improved accessibility features for people with disabilities.
  • XHTML was released in the year 2000.

Difference Between HTML and HTML5

The following table compares HTML vs HTML5:

HTML

HTML5

It contains elaborate types of character encoding.

It contains easier types of character encoding

It does not support audio and video without the use of a flash player.

It supports audio and video controls with the use of <audio> and <video> tags.

HTML uses browser cache memory as temporary storage.

HTML5 offers multiple storage options, such as an SQL database, application cache, and web storage.

Programmers are unable to use features that determine a user’s geolocation..

HTML5 has a JavaScript geolocation API, which can be used to identify any user's location when accessing the website.

<tHml>, <Head>, and <Body> tags are mandatory while coding.

< Html >, <ody>, and  Head> tags can be omitted while coding.

Drag and drop features are not provided.

Drag and drop features are provided.

It cannot handle inaccurate syntax.

It is capable of handling inaccurate syntax.

In HTML, vector graphics are supported with the help of various tools, such as Adobe Flash, VML, etc.

In HTML5, vector graphics are supported by default.

Attributes such as async, charset, and ping are not the part of HTML.

Attributes such as async, charset, and ping are an essential part of HTML5.

The doctype declaration is long and complicated in HTML.

The doctype declaration is comparatively quite simple and easy to understand in HTML5. 

Newer attributes like tabindex, id,  and repeat are unavailable in HTML.

HTML5 contains tabindex, id, and repeat attributes.

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New Media Elements

HTML5 offers new elements for media content compared to HTML, such as:

  • <audio> - Defines sound content

<audio src = "simplilearn.mp3" controls autoplay>

   Your browser does not support the <audio> element.   

</audio>

  • <video> - Defines a video or movie

<video src = "simplilearn.mp4"  width = "300" height = "200" controls>

   Your browser does not support the <video> element.   

</video>

  • <source> - Defines multiple media resources for <video> and <audio>

<source src = "/html5/audio.mp3" type = "audio/mp3" />

  • <embed> - Defines a container for an external application or interactive content (a plug-in)

<embed type="video/webm" src="simplilearn.mp4" width="400" height="300">

  • <track> - Defines text tracks for <audio> and <video>

 <track src="subtitles_en.vtt" kind="subtitles" srclang="en" label="English">

There are many elements that have been modified or removed from HTML5, including:  

  • <frame> - Removed
  • <noframes> - Removed
  • <dir> - Changed to <ul>
  • <font> - CSS is used for this

Advantages of HTML5 vs HTML

  • It is mobile-friendly and easy to use
  • Web pages contain a wide range of colors, shades, and different font types
  • HTML5 is compatible with all web browsers
  • It supports client-side databases
  • HTML5 has improved performance and security, as it enables storage across numerous browsers
  • Useful for cross-stage portable applications
  • HTML5 has better accessibility and inspection of HTML documents with semantic tags and ARIA

Conclusion

In this HTML vs HTML5 article, we looked at the significant differences between HTML and HTML5. We discussed several advantages of HTML5 over HTML. We also looked at the new elements and features that are included in HTML5. 

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