How HTML has changed
HTML has evolved as the web has evolved. New elements and clearer semantics help authors describe content in a way that browsers, assistive technology, and other tools can understand.
What you will learn
- Why HTML specifications change over time
- How to choose elements for meaning instead of appearance
- How to approach older markup safely
From presentation to meaning
Modern HTML encourages authors to describe what content is, while CSS controls how it looks. A heading should be a heading, a navigation area should be navigation, and emphasis should use an element with the right meaning.
Examples of modern semantic elements
main,nav,article, andsectiondescribe page structure.figureandfigcaptionconnect media with its caption.strong,em,ins, anddelexpress meaning rather than only visual decoration.
What to do with older markup
Do not replace every old tag blindly. First understand the content and behavior, then choose a modern equivalent and test layout, links, forms, and accessibility. Keep a small change set so regressions are easy to find.