Doctype Declaration in HTML

0
8K

What is a Doctype Declaration?

A doctype declaration is an instruction to the web browser about what version of HTML the page is written in. It's the first line of code in an HTML document and looks like this:

HTML
<!DOCTYPE html>

Why is it Important?

  • Standardization: Ensures that different browsers interpret the HTML code consistently.
  • Rendering Mode: Tells the browser to use the appropriate rendering mode (Standards mode or Quirks mode). Standards mode is generally preferred as it offers better compatibility and support for modern web technologies.

Common Doctype Declarations

While there are various doctype declarations for different HTML versions, the most common one used today is:

HTML
<!DOCTYPE html>

Historical Context

In older HTML versions (HTML 4), doctype declarations were more complex and involved referencing a Document Type Definition (DTD). However, with the introduction of HTML5, the process was simplified.

Key Points

  • The doctype declaration should always be the first line of your HTML document.
  • Using the correct doctype declaration is essential for consistent rendering across different browsers.
  • For modern web development, <!DOCTYPE html> is the standard choice.

Example of a basic HTML structure with a doctype declaration:

HTML
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <title>My Web Page</title>
</head>
<body>
  <h1>Hello, world!</h1>
</body>
</html>
Search
Categories
Read More
Computer Programming
Dynamic Typing, Stubs, and Namespaces in Python
Here's a breakdown of these three concepts in Python: 1. Dynamic Typing: Python is a...
Technology
Executive Information Systems (EIS)
Executive Information Systems (EIS) are specialized information systems designed to support the...
By Business Information Systems (BIS) Course 2024-08-01 17:01:05 0 9K
Technology
Understanding the AVERAGE Function
The AVERAGE function in Excel is used to calculate the arithmetic mean of a range of numbers....
By Microsoft Excel 2024-09-03 03:20:32 1 10K
Computer Programming
Functions, Parameters, and Return Values in python
Python uses functions extensively! Here's how functions, parameters, and return values work in...
Tebtalks https://tebtalks.com