HTML5

HTML5, is the most recent iteration of HTML. Developed and maintained by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and the Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group (WHATWG), HTML5 was first introduced in 2008 and has since become a fundamental technology for building and structuring content on the World Wide Web.

## History[edit]

HTML5 represents a significant evolution of its predecessor, HTML4, and its earlier versions. The development of HTML5 began in 2004 when the WHATWG, a consortium of browser vendors, initiated a project to standardize and improve the existing web technologies. Around the same time, the W3C formed a working group to develop the next version of HTML. These parallel efforts led to some tensions but eventually merged into a collaborative endeavor.

The development of HTML5 aimed to address the shortcomings of older HTML standards and accommodate the growing demands of modern web development. Some key objectives included better support for multimedia elements, improved semantics, and enhanced compatibility with different web browsers. HTML5 was formally published as a W3C Recommendation on October 28, 2014.[1]

## Key Features[edit]

HTML5 introduced several new features and capabilities to web development:[2]

Semantics
HTML5 introduced new semantic elements like `<header>`, `<nav>`, `<footer>`, and `<article>`, among others, making it easier for programmers to structure web content in a more meaningful way. This enhances accessibility and search engine optimization.
Multimedia Support
HTML5 brought native support for multimedia content through the `<audio>` and `<video>` elements, reducing the reliance on plugins like Adobe Flash. This made it easier to embed audio and video content directly into web pages.
Canvas
The `<canvas>` element allows developers to create dynamic graphics and animations using JavaScript. This capability is widely used for interactive games and data visualization.
Form Enhancements
HTML5 introduced several new input types and attributes for forms, such as `<input type="email">` and `<input type="date">`, making it easier to create user-friendly and accessible forms.
Geolocation
Through the Geolocation API, HTML5 enables websites to access a user's location, opening up possibilities for location-based services.
Local Storage
With Web Storage and the localStorage and sessionStorage APIs, developers can store data on the client-side, reducing the need for server-side storage and improving performance.
Web Workers
Web Workers allow for multi-threading in web applications, enhancing performance by offloading time-consuming tasks to background threads.
Offline Web Applications
HTML5 introduced technologies like the Application Cache and Service Workers that enable web apps to work offline or in low network conditions.

## References[edit]

1. ↑ https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/10/html5-specification-finalized-squabbling-over-who-writes-the-specs-continues/
2. ↑ https://html.spec.whatwg.org/multipage/system-state.html