this post was submitted on 23 Oct 2023
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By that definition, HTML is a programming language.
HTML is an initialism for HyperText Markup Language. It's purpose is to provide structure to data and cannot perform logic, the defining feature of programming languages.
I guarantee you that the people writing that HTML isn’t a language are the junior devs that use DIVs for everything in their structure, especially actionable elements like buttons or anchors. Let’s ignore that the “DIV is the element of last resort”, as per the html spec. Also, I doubt that anyone suggesting CSS isn’t a language hasn’t picked up a OReilley’s manual on it recently - 1100+ pages, before you get to the glossary. HTML & CSS are quite a powerful combination.
HTML adds structure to data and CSS adds visual styling to HTML data. The only way to make that data interactive, or have it perform other complex tasks is with Javascript. JS is a scripting language which is a subset of programming languages.
Buttons, links, etc only move you from one piece of data to another via the browser. HTML cannot and does not perform any actions itself.
i have been enlightened about semantics of elements, take a look at my webpage, and i do not think html is a programming language
Mozilla argues otherwise: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn/HTML/Introduction_to_HTML
Most people define HTML based on the original acronym, but the current HTML5 iteration is much more than many devs realize.
would you also argue that markdown is a programming language?
Mozilla argues otherwise: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn/HTML/Introduction_to_HTML
Most people define HTML based on the original acronym, but the current HTML5 iteration is much more than many devs realize.
gonna state this: html is a language, but not a PROGRAMMING language. each individual regex is also a language. assumed that you thought "language" and "programming language" were equivalent
sidenote: "gonna state this:" could be prefixed to any comment without changing the meaning, but it sure does change the vibe
I’m the lead UI developer for one of Europe’s biggest fintech firms, and we’re up from #4 back before I got there (many factors in that, so okay, but the UI update added to our success). I’m reviewing quite a few CVs lately looking for Angular FE devs and honestly, an attitude like that won’t even get you in the first round.
This discussion started because I said many FE devs don’t develop with HTML in mind - it’s all divs and js. Or they rely heavily upon a framework to do that for them. I just passed on someone in the third round because I asked for a lightweight modal with esc exit, background and focus, and they wheeled out this whole system using prime ng and p-modals, where just using the element would have worked.
To be fair, they also argued that using their method would have been faster and more consistent. That’s a person who relies on toolkits instead of understanding that their existing tools have depth.
May I suggest, don’t be that guy. But in 3 years I retire to an island to never have these arguments again, so what do I care? Don’t listen to anyone else - be my guest.
Just to change the vibe.
i did not know existed!
Well, now you know to look, which is always a good thing. Lots of new good stuff to check out in css and html - look up Baseline 2022 (and beyond) to familiarize yourself with the new goodies.
programs should keep english in mind when creating logs -> english is a programming language
HTML is not trying to accomplish a task but specifically displaying stuff on the screen. Like a word document, or a jpeg.
But what if my task is to display stuff on the screen?
Then you would be a rendering engine, built from a language that isn't HTML.
well from that argument, you can't make a compiler for a real language
i want to display stuff on my screen, and i'm not a rendering engine, i'm a human!
Is it Turing complete though? That's normally the real test
CSS+HTML is Turing complete but not html alone.
that assumes an infinite document (i think)
Magic the Gathering is Turing complete but nobody's calling it a programming language. Expressiveness and purpose are probably more important for calling something a programming language.