XHTML is the full form of Extensible Hypertext Markup Language, which is a version of HTML that was created to work with XML.
HTML5 is the upgraded edition of HTML, markup used for structuring, creating content on the World Wide Web, Web Standards Project developed both HTML and XHTML languages.
Key Takeaways
- XHTML is a strict version of HTML that follows XML syntax rules, while HTML5 is the latest version with new features and APIs.
- HTML5 supports multimedia elements, such as audio and video, without additional plugins.
- XHTML requires strict adherence to syntax rules, whereas HTML5 has more lenient parsing rules.
XHTML VS HTML5
The difference between XHTML and HTML5 is that HTML5 starts with DOCTYPE! because it is new enough to be considered to be HTML by most browsers, and this markup language HTML5 sticks to web documents only. While XHTML doesn’t require more declaration and it places more importance on syntax type
Extensible HyperText Markup Language (XHTML) is used in conjunction with HTML to create web documents.
XHTML application is used to provide structure and meaning to content, as well as other information such as script code, style sheets, images and, videos.XHTML has become the most hyped HTML version after HTML 4.
Hypertext Markup Language 5 is used to mark up web pages. It is capable of displaying graphics and video that can reside on local or remote servers.
HTML5 is a markup language used for structural and semantic markup and as an upgraded version it’s more capable than version HTML 4.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | XHTML | HTML5 |
|---|---|---|
| Stands For | Extensible HyperText Markup Language | Extensible HyperText Markup Language |
| Developed By | World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) | World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and the Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group (WHATWG) |
| Validation Rules | Follow strict validation Rules. | Do not follow strict validation Rules. |
| Case Sensitive | It is more case sensitive | It is not case sensitive |
| Compatible Use | It does not work on Internet Explorer 8 | Used and supported in all browsers like Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, etc. |
What is XHTML?
Extensible Hypertext Markup Language, is a markup language used to create web pages.
XHTML files contain code that tells a browser how to structure the page and what elements are part of the content, rather than presentational information such as colors and fonts.
XHTML is a reframed from HTML 4.01, which has been in widespread use since 1999.
Originally released by the W3C in 2000, XHTML 1.0 was later replaced by XHTML 1.1 and then XHTML 1.2 each successive version was an incremental improvement upon the previous one.
The most recent version of XHTML is XHTML5, which is still under development but already supported by many browsers.
XHTML documents must be served with an Internet media type of application. This is done with a MIME type configuration. XHTML 1.0 requires support for UTF-8 encoding.
Many websites today use XHTML as the primary markup language because it simplifies website development, facilitates search engine optimization, and improves accessibility for disabled users.
It provides an alternative syntax to HTML 4 and earlier versions, which helps make content portable between different computing platforms and language
It also provides several facilities that support Web development without using the presentational features of HTML 4 earlier versions.
What is HTML5?
The HTML5 specification is said to be the fifth major version of the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), the current standard markup language for creating web pages and web applications.
It helps to create websites and web applications. HTML5 provides new features to make web pages more interactive, powerful, and easier to access.
It Uses new elements to define the different parts of our page (header, footer, article).
It Uses new form elements (email, search) and uses microdata attributes to describe the objects on our page with RDFa Lite syntax.
Most of it also gathers data from users through new types of controls (date picker, range slider).
There is no need for third-party plug-ins required to Include video and audio natively on our site (for older browsers). It was released in 2014 and it is still a work in progress.
Despite some limitations, developers are already using it to design games, interactive websites, and even mobile apps.
HTML 5 is intended to subsume not only HTML 4 and XHTML 1, but also XUL, SVG, and MathML.
It includes new features that include New tags and attributes, Canvas API, Video support Geolocation API, Forms API, Web Storage API, Drag and drop support.
Main Differences Between XHTML and HTML5
- Most webpages Platforms use HTML (such as blogger) but some websites are using XHTML(such as WordPress) where tags are included in XML tags too.
- XHTML is not a subset of HTML5, it’s an alternative to HTML4 and XHTML1.HTML5 doesn’t have strict requirements whereas XHTML have more requirements.
- In XHTML Header tags footer tags, section tags, article tags, nav, and divs with classes are not used but in HTML 5 these tags are specifically used.
- In HTML5 Closing tag can be discluded and no tag restrictions, but in XHTML tag have restrictions and the Closing tag cannot be omitted.
- XHTML is suitable for desktop computers while HTML5 is suitable for both mobile and desktop devices.
- https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/1559764.1559784
- https://journal.alt.ac.uk/index.php/rlt/article/view/1367
Last Updated : 01 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
XHTML and HTML5 are crucial in web development. Understanding the fundamental differences between XHTML and HTML5 is key in creating web applications that can adapt to modern technologies and user expectations.
Absolutely, Dennis45. Having a deep understanding of XHTML and HTML5 is pivotal in the development of web applications that provide seamless experiences and cutting-edge functionalities to users.
XHTML and HTML5 play vital roles in modern web development. It’s important for developers to grasp the distinctions between XHTML and HTML5 to build web applications that meet the ever-evolving needs of users.
I completely agree, Zhughes. In-depth knowledge of XHTML and HTML5 enables developers to create web applications that stay ahead of the curve and deliver exceptional user experiences.
XHTML and HTML5 are two powerful languages that are widely used today. Both XHTML and HTML5 have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is important to understand the difference between them in order to use them effectively to improve the quality of web applications.
I agree, Graham. It’s important for web developers to be knowledgeable about these languages and use them effectively to create high-quality web applications.
Great comment Graham. Understanding the differences between XHTML and HTML5 allows developers to choose the most suitable language for their specific application, which is crucial for success in web development.
XHTML and HTML5 are both essential in web development. A deep understanding of the intricacies of both XHTML and HTML5 is essential in creating web applications that meet the highest standards.
Well said, Wsimpson. Working knowledge of both XHTML and HTML5 is vital in delivering successful web applications that are rich in features and functionality.
I couldn’t agree more, Wsimpson. Developers who understand the differences between XHTML and HTML5 can utilize them effectively to develop modern, feature-rich web applications.
XHTML and HTML5 both have their unique features and uses, it is great for developers to have a good understanding of when to use each to create high-quality web applications.
That’s very true, James. The proper use of these languages can greatly impact the development of web applications. A thorough understanding of XHTML and HTML5 is essential for web developers.
XHTML and HTML5 are both important in web development. It’s crucial to get a deeper understanding of the differences between the two technologies in order to make more informed decisions when building web applications.
I completely agree, Yharrison. It’s essential for web developers to have a comprehensive knowledge of XHTML and HTML5 to make informed decisions and create effective web applications.