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Why Bother To Learn XHTML?

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By Bud Kraus
bud@joyofcode.com
Joy Of Code
Creator And Instructor

v2 i4
Originally Published: February 16, 2006

Or why learn HTML for that matter?

In the event you don't know, I have a vested interest (Joy of Code) in the answer to the question, "Why bother to learn XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language)?"

When Content Management Systems, great web authoring tools, or some online service says, "Hey, no knowledge of HTML required," I can almost always prove them wrong. The day has yet to come when merely using any of these page-making modalities is equivalent to having a good knowledge of HTML code to achieve the same result.

And that day may never come.

While I think I know all of the reasons to learn XHTML/HTML (the fundamental markup language that governs the underpinnings of most web pages), someone always points me to yet another reason.

Herewith I make my case as to why it's important to know XHTML/HTML (and a bit about Cascading Style Sheets - CSS). Once you know code you'll be able to do all of these things...and more!!!

1. Use web page editors, like Dreamweaver, more effectively by working in Code View to create pages in ways you otherwise can't achieve.

I can't tell you how many people I've taught who have said, "If only I could edit the HTML code, I would be able to really use Dreamweaver, Front Page or any other web page authoring program. I can only do so much with drag and drop and pull down menus. If I could just edit the code, I could fine tune things to get my page to be just the way I want it."

Look at this screen shot of Dreamweaver. It's great to be able to create your pages using the Code View and Design View at the same time. It's a lot of fun too!!

Screenshot Of Dreamweaver Interface Showing Code and Design Views

Learn XHTML and you can probably skip that beginner's course on Dreamweaver, (or GoLive, Front Page or similar HTML editor). In many ways, you'll know how to use these programs because you will have learned the most important skill - how to edit the code.

2. Be able to work with other XML applications, such as RSS, because you'll have learned XHTML's fundamental syntax.

It's like learning Word. Once you've mastered how to create a file, copy and paste content or search for something, you can take those skills to other applications and away you go. Same with XHTML. Once you understand the simple and straight forward pattern, you can use that pattern to create files using RSS, XSLT, SMIL and other Internet languages.

That's pretty powerful stuff. Learn one and you'll have learned them all!!

XHTML has a syntax that is shared by other web applications because it comes from the Mother of all Internet Applications, XML. Learn XHTML's syntax - which many people feel is not terribly difficult (it's a fairly simple pattern) - and you'll be on your way to creating web content for today's and tomorrow's technologies.

3. Work more effectively with online publishing tools.

Why? Because working with online publishing tools offered by so many services which allow you to publish your own content, like eBay or formatted email marketing services (like Constant Contact), require that you know XHTML/HTML if you don't want to use their cookie cutter templates.

Do you want to have the ability and freedom to create and work with your own content and style in your own way? Of course you do.

Do you want to be stuck using an online service's layout templates that are frequently hard to work with and yield unsatisfactory results? Of course you don't.

That means you'll need to learn some XHTML.

4. Gain independence and freedom you can't get any other way.

When you know how to make web pages "by hand," you won't have to rely upon any application other than a basic text editor such as Notepad for Windows or TextEdit for Mac. You can go to any computer and quickly make or edit a page, then upload it to your web server.

Also, you'll find many employers will require that you know XHTML regardless of what web content creation or web publishing software their company uses.

No matter which fancy web publishing system comes down the pike, knowing XHTML and CSS will be useful for a long time because they're fundamental.

5. Create optimized easy-to-manage web sites that upload and download faster, and enhance search engine optimization.

The goal of web page design should be to create the leanest pages, with the least markup and fewest tags possible. Using XHTML and CSS efficiently eliminates needless and non-standard code. It also places all style, and as much page layout information as possible, in a CSS file.

The result is a streamlined, easy-to-manage, search engine-friendly web design. "Less is more" is no myth when it comes to web page creation. You'll understand why when you know some web page code.