Web page - A Web page is a simple text file that contains a set of HTML tags (code) that describe (to the browser) what should go on a web page. It may also contain CSS styles, which tell it how the page should look. -The Web browser interprets these tags to decide how to format the text onto the screen.

HTML Review -Basic tag syntax content  tag - describes the function or format of the content  attribute – describes what aspect of the tag you are changing (there may be MANY attributes for one tag or none)  value – describes how you are changing the tag.  Content – what you want to be visible on the page, such as a welcome message. Example: welcome!

Anatomy of a Tag (standalone tags)  See how the tag still has a beginning and ending />  No content  Not a “containing” tag  Ex.

Anatomy of a web page  HTML – HyperText Markup Language WHAT content goes in the web browser. Not a programming language! But a language for programs to interpret into web pages.  XHTML – eXtensinble HTML Latest standard of HTML XML and HTML have a kid Stricter, but easier to get what you want on the screen. Still an.html file, still called “hypertext”  CSS – Cascading Style Sheets HOW your content is depicted in the web browser..css files

XHTML  The newest version of HTML  Has many requirements  Makes sites more consistent across browsers (this will increase with time)

1. Declare a DOCTYPE This tells the browser what kind of markup it is dealing with

2. Declare an XML Namespace -when a browser needs to know what in a DTD (Doctype Declaration) this is where it can find it.

Character Encoding  Many possible characters (chinese, arabic, greek, latin)  To keep browsers in “the know” you should have character encoding at the top of your document  (note this is only if you are saving your files in ANSI formatt in notepad!)  NOTE: Dreamweaver takes care of this for you.

3. Declare a content type - This is if your text files are saved in ANSI format. (This says we are using latin, instead of chinese, japanese, greek, etc characters) - Goes in the header of your document

4. Close EVERY tag  Standalone:  Tag pairs:

5. Correctly nested tags  If a tag opens before a preceding one closes, it MUST be closed before that preceding one closes:  It’s very important to nest them properly

6. Inline tags cannot contain block level tags.  Block level tags ( ) stack on top of one of each other on the page.  Inline tags ( ) occurs in normal flow of text and don’t force a new line.  You can do but not the other way around.

Block vs Inline Tags  Inline tags  Block-level tags etc

Block usually cannot contain other block level tags.  Block level tags cannot be inside other block level or inline tags  But tags and the tag (also block-level) are the exception It is ok to put

7. Lowercase tags  No capital letters in tags or attribtues. – The Doctype tag is the only exception to this.

8. Attributes must have values, values must be quoted  In HTML you didn’t have to do this. In XHTML this is crucial.

9. Use encoded equivalents for & ‘ and <  You must use special characters when you want to use these in your document

Validating your XHTML  Your document’s XHTML must validate at  (You will want to validate via file upload). You can use the Validator to find errors you may need to convert into XHTML compliant code.  Browse to upload your file and click “check”  Problems are noted, but it may not tell you exactly what’s wrong.