HTML Editor
An application designed for modifying HTML or webpage markup is referred to as an HTML editor, also known as an HTML creator. Although it is possible to edit HTML syntax on a webpage using any text editor, specialized HTML editors offer extra features, structure, and ease of use.
For example, numerous HTML editors are capable of integrating with associated technologies like XML, CSS, JavaScript, and ECMAScript, apart from HTML. At times, they also facilitate communication with remote web servers via FTP and WebDAV, and support version control systems like Subversion or Git. HTML editors are integrated into various word processing, graphic design, and page layout applications that are not exclusively designed for web development, such as Microsoft Word or Quark XPress.
Types of Editors
Text editors and WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editors stand out as the two main categories of HTML editors available.
Text Editors:
Text editors tailored for HTML usually offer syntax highlighting. Furthermore, certain editors come equipped with keyboard shortcuts, toolbars, and templates to assist in swiftly inserting common HTML elements and structures. In standard operations, wizards, tooltip cues, and autocompletion features can prove to be advantageous.
Text editing software commonly employed for working with HTML content frequently includes native functionalities or supports the integration of external tools for tasks such as version management, spell checking, code optimization, formatting, hyperlink validation, FTP or WebDAV-based file transfer, and project structuring. Some operations, like hyperlink validation or URL verification, may rely on online services and require an active internet connection.
Text editing tools require users to have a good understanding of HTML and other web technologies like CSS, JavaScript, and server-side scripting languages that the developer might decide to use.
Some text editors facilitate adherence to this criterion by offering markup editing modes that are not considered WYSIWYG but are still more visually structured than basic color highlighting. These editors typically allow users to modify the text-based attributes of chosen elements through palette windows or dialogue boxes. By utilizing an outline editor to expand or condense HTML elements and attributes, along with supplementary tools for displaying and choosing options while adjusting settings (such as previewing an image or text format), these palettes empower users to modify attributes in specific fields or add new tags by filling out an interactive form on the screen.
WYSIWYG editors for HTML
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The editing interface provided by WYSIWYG HTML editors closely mirrors the eventual appearance of the page in a web browser. These editors are often more user-friendly for individuals who are new to computers since they may not necessitate any knowledge of HTML.
A layout engine is integrated to offer the WYSIWYG display. This can be built from the ground up or adapted from an existing one in a web browser. The goal is to ensure that the displayed result consistently mirrors what will be seen in a future iteration during web browser editing.
An alternative approach to WYSIWYG editors is known as WYSIWYM (what you see is what you mean) editors. Rather than emphasizing the visual layout, these editors prioritize preserving the intended meaning of each element. This means that elements like page headings, sections, and paragraphs are explicitly labeled in the editing software, ensuring that they are displayed correctly in the browser.
Challenges in Reaching WYSIWYG
Due to various factors, an HTML document may appear differently across diverse computers and platforms:
Different programs and browsers will display the same markup in different ways:
On a high-quality display, the identical website could exhibit minor variations across various browsers such as Chrome, Safari, Edge, Internet Explorer, and Firefox. In contrast, it will showcase significant differences when viewed on the text-only Lynx browser. Furthermore, the website will necessitate unique presentations when accessed through a mobile device, PDA, or internet-connected TV. Varied elements of the fundamental HTML structure become essential for enhancing accessibility on speech or braille browsers, as well as facilitating screen reader compatibility with standard browsers. It's important to note that an author can only suggest the visual layout of a website.
Like any software on a computer, web browsers can contain problems:
Attempting to design websites to address every issue present in widely used browsers is unproductive. It is impractical to constantly modify websites to fix bugs with each new browser release. The general agreement is that it is more advisable to adhere to established standards, refrain from implementing cutting-edge features until they are widely adopted, and allow browser developers to align with your website's requirements rather than constantly adapting your site to fit their updates.
For instance, despite the lag in adoption by some WYSIWYG and alternative editors, it is undeniable that CSS remains at the forefront, with most major functionalities being universally supported across popular browsers.
Various semantic interpretations can be conveyed through a consistent visual design.
Search engines and other assistive technologies prioritize semantic significance, which originates from the structural foundation of an HTML document. While it's easy to discern the purpose of bold text in a physical document through experience and context, conveying this differentiation within a WYSIWYG editor presents significant challenges.
Simply applying bold styling in a WYSIWYG editor is insufficient; it is crucial to provide a rationale to the user regarding the purpose of the bold text and its semantic significance.
What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) editors are seldom beneficial due to the construction techniques of contemporary websites.
A content management system or another template processor-based approach is frequently employed in contemporary websites to dynamically generate pages from content stored in a database. The benefit of using a WYSIWYG editor is diminished as specific pages are not saved in a filesystem due to their creation and modification within a WYSIWYG editor. Consequently, an abstracted template-driven layout becomes necessary.
What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) editors are not commonly beneficial due to the complexities of contemporary website development.
A popular approach among contemporary websites involves employing a content management system or a template processor to generate web pages dynamically using data from a database. The absence of direct page saving in a filesystem eliminates a significant benefit of using a WYSIWYG editor, as pages are typically created and modified within such editors. Consequently, a template-driven layout becomes essential in this scenario.
Proper HTML formatting
A well-defined markup language commonly used for creating web content is HTML. To ensure compliance with the W3C standards for the global web, specific criteria must be followed during HTML development. By conforming to these standards, websites become accessible not only to individuals with disabilities but also to those using standard computer setups. Additionally, they become compatible with mobile devices like PDAs and smartphones, which have limited bandwidth and screen dimensions. Regrettably, a large portion of online HTML content does not meet W3C's guidelines. A study conducted in 2011 revealed that 94 percent of the top 350 websites (based on the Alexa index) either employed incorrect character encoding or did not pass the web standards markup and style sheet validation tests. Even HTML texts that adhere to syntactically correct rules may prove ineffective if they redundantly repeat information or rely on outdated guidelines.
A website's primary requirement for reaching a wide range of viewers and maintaining the universal significance of the internet is to ensure its markup and code adhere to standards. This holds true irrespective of whether the page was created using a WYSIWYG editor or hand-coded. Prior to considering it suitable for the online realm, the HTML and CSS syntax must undergo validation through reputable services like the W3C HTML Validator and W3C CSS Validator or any other trusted alternative.
Given the widespread use and importance of the internet in today's society, it is not just advisable but legally mandatory for web pages to be accessible to people with various disabilities, such as physical impairments or visual challenges. Websites operated by publicly funded entities are obligated to comply with regulations outlined in the Disability Discrimination Act in the UK and the Americans with Disabilities Act in the United States. Comparable legislations already exist or are in the process of being implemented in numerous other countries. While validating a webpage is a crucial initial action, there are several other factors to address before deeming a page fully accessible. These factors are essential in effective web design, irrespective of whether the website is developed using a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) tool.
The quality of the HTML code depends on the proficiency of the person working on the website, irrespective of the software utilized for web design and maintenance. An individual can enhance web page quality by possessing a fundamental grasp of HTML, CSS, and various scripting languages, along with staying updated on the latest W3C standards in these domains.
Conclusion:
Web browsers convert HTML files into interactive web pages containing various multimedia elements upon receiving them from a web server or local storage. Initially, HTML included markers for webpage layout and offered a meaningful representation of the page's framework. An HTML editor, also known as an HTML generator, is a software application utilized for modifying HTML or webpage code. While any text editor can be used to adjust the HTML syntax on a webpage, dedicated HTML editors provide enhanced features, structure, and user-friendly interface. For instance, numerous HTML editors not only support HTML but also integrate with additional technologies like XML, CSS, JavaScript, and ECMAScript.