news.volyx.in

HTML is the Web (petelambert.com)

561 points by mmoez · 2675 days ago · 328 comments on HN

Article summary

The article argues that HTML is the foundation of the web and that many frontend engineers do not understand its importance. It emphasizes the need for semantic HTML, accessibility, and proper structuring of web pages. The author believes that neglecting HTML can lead to a broken web and make it difficult for users to access content. The article encourages developers to learn and use HTML properly, especially when working with frameworks like React or Vue.

Main themes

  • HTML importance
  • Semantic markup
  • Accessibility
  • Web development best practices
  • Frontend engineering
  • Web standards

What commenters say

  • HTML is not sufficient for modern web development and needs to be supplemented with other technologies.
  • The use of semantic HTML is crucial for accessibility and usability.
  • XHTML's draconian error handling was a major factor in its decline, but some developers still prefer its strict syntax.
  • The distinction between web pages and web apps is not clear-cut, and both can be considered documents.
  • The use of JavaScript and frameworks does not excuse the need for proper HTML markup.
  • HTML may not be the best language for defining the initial state of a web app, and a new language like Application Markup Language might be needed.
  • The importance of HTML is being overlooked in favor of more trendy technologies like JavaScript and WASM.