Fernandez 1

HTML vs. Web Authoring Software

My report will focus on issue 13-2 found on page 13.21 of the textbook entitled “Should You Know HTML?” Today, it seems that there is no need for the language known as HTML (hypertext markup language). With so many web design tools out there, such as Microsoft FrontPage, Macromedia’s Dreamweaver, and even the ability to save a Word document as a Web page, it seems that there is little or no use for HTML. However, these are merely tools to make the job of web authoring easier. In my experience, a person should know how to do a job, and if he/she wants to make their job easier, then they should learn how to use the tools for that particular job. In the event I was going to hire a Web page developer for a company I would have to insist on that person knowing HTML. Why? The answer lies in what HTML is exactly.

Hypertext markup language is a special formatting language that programmers use to format documents for display on the Web.[1]

The image on the left shows the HTML code for the image on the right. HTML is not actually a programming language; rather, it’s a language that has specific rules for defining the placement and format of text, graphics, video, and audio on a Web page. So as you can see, HTML is the building block on which all other Web authoring software is based on and of course I would want the Web page developer for my company to know the basics of Web design. Just knowing HTML is a tool in itself with the ability to debug problems and enhance the features of your Web page with tags that aren’t provided by Web authoring software.

The question then becomes, with so many advancements in Web design, should HTML even be taught as a required course to people majoring in Web page design? In my opinion, absolutely, and these are the reasons why:

  • As I said before, HTML is the basic building block of Web design and people should learn it if they are to be successful Web designers.
  • Understanding the fundamentals of how a browser works and how the information is interpreted using HTML is a key factor for people who want to become more knowledgeable in the field of Web design.
  • Web page authoring software can only take you so far. In order to debug and customize a Web page to their liking, people should learn some basic HTML. Remember, programs like FrontPage and Dreamweaver only provide a limited range of templates.
  • Finally, knowing HTML can only help you, so why not learn it. Its scalability is limitless so you can take Web pages as far as your imagination allows.

The history of hypertext markup language is a strange and interesting tale. From its simple start as an online subset of SGML, through political maneuverings of the huge browser companies, to its current piecemeal - but growing - compatibility, the language has weathered a storm of growth, abuse, and innovation.[2] By learning HTML, you will have much more control over how your Web pages look, and you'll more easily discover ways to make your Web pages look even better.[3] Who knows what the future holds for this ever-changing language? The only thing that is certain is that knowledge of this language, no matter how unnecessary it may seem, will be a much valued asset in the field of Web page design and should not be replaced with, but rather used with Web authoring software in order to create new and innovative Web pages.

Vocabulary Term / Definition
Dynamic HTML / A newer type of HTML that allows developers to include more graphical interest and interactivity in a Web page, without the Web page accessing the Web server.
XHTML / A markup language that enables Web sites t be displayed more easily on micro browsers in personal digital assistants and cellular phones.
JavaScript / An interpreted language that allows a programmer to add dynamic content and interactive elements to a Web page.

Tim Berners-Lee[4]

Bibliography

Kristula, Dave. HTML: An Interactive Tutorial for Beginners. 2001 <

Shelly, Gary B., Cashman, Thomas J., and Vermaat, Misty E. Discovering Computers 2004: A Gateway to Information. Boston: Course Technology, 2003.

Veen, Jeffrey. The History of HTML. 28 April 1997 <

project1

[1] Definition from page 13.16 of Discovering Computers 2004.

[2]

[3]

[4] Pioneer in Web page design.