Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the language of the World Wide Web but it’s been a while since it’s been updated to where the world is today. At the W3C, there is a working group which is looking at the future of HTML.
As we move forward, there needs to be a set of principles which guides the decisions we make. This is why the HTML Working Group published a first public working draft of the HTML Design Principles.
Here’s my summary and translation…
- Be backwards compatible. Don’t break existing Web content.
- When a new feature isn’t supported by a browser, degrade gracefully.
- Consider what already exists before trying to make something new
- Look at what current best practices already exist
- It’s better to evolve a standard because then you don’t have to reteach and redo everything.
- Don’t do something for the sake of doing it.
- Don’t make the Web insecure
- Have HTML elements behave in ways that authors can depend on
- Be simple in creating a solution
- The Web is filled with tag soup. Show how to deal with those errors.
- HTML should work across devices, environments, and platforms.
- Be publishable in the world’s languages
- Be accessible to people with disabilities.
Was anything missed? The HTML Working Group needs your feedback.
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