HTML, known as the HyperText Markup Language, is primarily utilized on the web to define the layout of websites. Just like image files can have extensions like .png or .jpg, HTML files also come with extensions. In this post, we will delve into the HTML extension.
There are four types of HTML file extensions , which are as follows:
- .html
- .shtml
- .dhtml
- .xhtml
We will discuss each type one by one.
1. .html
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language, which is the fundamental version of web markup language. HTML files are typically saved with a .html extension. In the late 1990s, HTML files were saved with a .htm extension, but nowadays the .html extension is more commonly used.
The HTML file contains HTML tags such as <h1>, <p>, <table>, <img> , etc., which are used to show the content on the web page. When you write an HTML file, then, you need to save that file using the .html extension; otherwise, the file will not be considered an HTML file. For example: file_name.html . Most browsers, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer, and Samsung Internet, support it.
2. .shtml
SHTML stands for Server-parsed Hypertext Markup Language, utilizing Server Side Includes (SSI) to execute server-side scripts within HTML pages, enhancing file loading speed by optimizing HTML. Files using SSI HyperText Markup Language have the extension .shtml, like file_name.shtml.
SHTML files are integrated into HTML pages to enable the generation of dynamic content. Essentially, SHTML files are employed for situations demanding dynamic content. These files are composed using hypertext markup language, after which the web server executes them by deciphering the SSI directives. These directives aid in defining the content to retain in the HTML output and its placement, following which the ultimate HTML output is presented to the user. SHTML is widely supported by the majority of web servers, making it highly compatible.
3. .dhtml
DHTML stands for Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language, a standard technology on the web that enables the creation of dynamic features like animated menus. It is not a standalone language but rather a systematic approach like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The file extension associated with Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language is .dhtml, for instance: file_name.dhtml.
Dynamic HTML (DHTML) operates by utilizing a blend of technologies like HyperText Markup Language (HTML), JavaScript (JS), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and Document Object Model (DOM). Through DHTML, various components present on a webpage, including text, images, tables, etc., can be altered. It enables the development of interactive web pages that can be repositioned without requiring a server refresh. DHTML offers adaptable layouts, animation without the need for plug-ins, and enhanced responsiveness. This functionality is compatible with browsers like Internet Explorer 5.5, Opera 5, and Netscape 6.
4. .xhtml
XHTML stands for Extensible Hypertext Markup Language and incorporates XML rules and standards established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It serves as the XML-compliant iteration of Hypertext Markup Language. Files using Extensible Hypertext Markup Language have the .xhtml extension, like file_example.xhtml.
The utilization of tags can be customized, allowing for an extension beyond predefined limits. This functionality is universally supported by major browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Firefox, enhancing the flexibility of HTML.
Below is a table displaying HTML files along with their corresponding file extensions and characteristics:
Conclusion
We have studied the HTML extension in this article. The following are the important points that have been concluded:
- There are four kinds of HTML extensions: .html, .shtml, .dhtml and .xhtml.
- .html: This extension is used for HyperText Markup Language (HTML) files.
- .shtml: This extension is used for Server-parsed HyperText Markup Language (SHTML) files.
- .dhtml: This extension is used for Dynamic HyperText Markup Language (DHTML) files.
- .xhtml: This extension is used for Extension HyperText Markup Language (XHTML) files.