HTML5, Semantic Tags

Afroj MansooriAfroj Mansoori
5 min read

1.What are the new things introduced in HML5?

HTML5, the fifth version of the Hypertext Markup Language, introduced several new features and improvements over its predecessors. Some of the notable additions and changes in HTML5 include:

  1. New Semantic Elements:

    • HTML5 introduced semantic elements that provide a clearer structure for web documents. Examples include <header>, <footer>, <nav>, <article>, <section>, and <figure>. These elements help define the meaning and structure of content, making it more accessible and maintainable.
  2. Audio and Video Elements:

    • HTML5 includes native support for embedding audio and video content using the <audio> and <video> elements. This eliminates the need for third-party plugins like Adobe Flash.
    htmlCopy code<audio controls>
      <source src="audio.mp3" type="audio/mp3">
      Your browser does not support the audio tag.
    </audio>

    <video controls width="640" height="360">
      <source src="video.mp4" type="video/mp4">
      Your browser does not support the video tag.
    </video>
  1. Canvas Element:

    • The <canvas> element allows dynamic rendering of graphics and images through JavaScript. Developers can draw shapes, images, and manipulate pixels directly on the canvas.
    htmlCopy code<canvas id="myCanvas" width="200" height="100"></canvas>
  1. Local Storage and Session Storage:

    • HTML5 introduced the localStorage and sessionStorage objects, allowing web applications to store data locally on the user's device. This provides a simple key-value storage mechanism that persists even after the user closes the browser.
    javascriptCopy code// Local Storage
    localStorage.setItem("username", "John");
    console.log(localStorage.getItem("username"));

    // Session Storage
    sessionStorage.setItem("token", "abc123");
  1. Offline Web Applications:

    • HTML5 includes features like the Application Cache (cache.manifest) and the Service Worker API, enabling developers to create offline-capable web applications. Users can access content even when they are not connected to the internet.
  2. Web Workers:

    • Web Workers allow developers to run scripts in the background, separate from the main browser thread. This enables parallel processing and prevents long-running scripts from affecting the responsiveness of the user interface.
    javascriptCopy code// Creating a Web Worker
    const worker = new Worker("worker.js");
  1. Responsive Images:

    • HTML5 introduced the srcset attribute for the <img> element, allowing developers to provide multiple image sources with different resolutions. This helps in delivering the most suitable image based on the user's device and screen size.
    htmlCopy code<img src="image.jpg" alt="Description" srcset="image-1x.jpg 1x, image-2x.jpg 2x">
  1. Form Improvements:

    • HTML5 introduced new input types such as email, url, tel, and number, making it easier for developers to capture specific types of user input. Additionally, attributes like required, pattern, and placeholder enhance form validation and user experience.
    htmlCopy code<input type="email" name="email" required>

2.What are semantic tags? Give a couple of examples.

Semantic tags in HTML are elements that carry meaning about the structure and content of a web page. They provide a more descriptive and meaningful way to represent different parts of a document. Semantic tags make it easier for both developers and browsers to understand the purpose of the content, which can improve accessibility and SEO. Here are a couple of examples of semantic tags introduced in HTML5:

  1. <header>:

    • The <header> element represents the header of a section or a page. It typically contains headings, navigation links, logos, and other introductory content.
        htmlCopy code<header>
          <h1>My Website</h1>
          <nav>
            <ul>
              <li><a href="/">Home</a></li>
              <li><a href="/about">About</a></li>
              <li><a href="/contact">Contact</a></li>
            </ul>
          </nav>
        </header>
  1. <nav>:

    • The <nav> element is used to define a section of navigation links. It is commonly found within the <header> or <footer> of a webpage.
        htmlCopy code<nav>
          <ul>
            <li><a href="/">Home</a></li>
            <li><a href="/products">Products</a></li>
            <li><a href="/services">Services</a></li>
          </ul>
        </nav>
  1. <article>:

    • The <article> element represents a self-contained piece of content that could be distributed and reused independently. It's suitable for blog posts, news articles, forum posts, etc.
        htmlCopy code<article>
          <h2>Article Title</h2>
          <p>Content of the article...</p>
        </article>
  1. <section>:

    • The <section> element defines a section in a document and is often used to group related content together. It doesn't imply any specific semantic meaning.
        htmlCopy code<section>
          <h2>Section Title</h2>
          <p>Content of the section...</p>
        </section>
  1. <footer>:

    • The <footer> element represents the footer of a section or a page. It typically contains copyright information, contact details, and links to relevant resources.
        htmlCopy code<footer>
          <p>&copy; 2024 My Website</p>
          <address>Contact: <a href="mailto:info@example.com">info@example.com</a></address>
        </footer>
  1. <main>:

    • The <main> element represents the main content of the document. It should not include headers, footers, or other structural elements. It's especially useful for screen readers and other assistive technologies.
        htmlCopy code<main>
          <h1>Main Content</h1>
          <p>Body of the main content...</p>
        </main>

These semantic tags help structure the HTML document in a meaningful way, making it more readable for both humans and machines. When used appropriately, they contribute to better accessibility, search engine optimization, and maintenance of web pages.

3.List of Semantics Tags with example?

<article>Defines independent, self-contained content
<aside>Defines content aside from the page content
<details>Defines additional details that the user can view or hide
<figcaption>Defines a caption for a <figure> element
<figure>Specifies self-contained content, like illustrations, diagrams, photos, code listings, etc.
<footer>Defines a footer for a document or section
<header>Specifies a header for a document or section
<main>Specifies the main content of a document
<mark>Defines marked/highlighted text
<nav>Defines navigation links
<section>Defines a section in a document
<summary>Defines a visible heading for a <details> element
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Afroj Mansoori
Afroj Mansoori