Semantic Markup

Semantic Markup

Semantic markup involves using elements that are appropriate to content meaning rather than its presentation.

Semantic markup involves using elements that are appropriate to content meaning rather than its presentation. As assignment of appropriate element types also structures a document, for example headings break a document into sections, semantic markup is also (simultaneously) described as structural markup.

The distinction between semantic and structural markup open to interpretation. If, by assigning an element type, the author is seeking to create meaningfor example their desire is that a level-one heading should be understood by the reader as having a different meaning than the same content described as a level-two headingthen the markup may be considered semantic.

Another reason for casting HTML markup as structural may be due to its limited value as a semantic language. For example, a heading element is somewhat of a relative distinction, it is more 'significant' than body copy, but does it signify the beginning of a chapter, the title of an article or a blog entry? The markup is unable to communicate such distinctions. By contrast, languages such as XML enable the author to more clearly describe content at a meta-level.

The benefits of semantic markup

Semantic markup in Word: A non-web example of the benefits of a semantic approach to content markup can be found when using Microsoft Word. If headings are used consistently throughout a document, a table of contents can be generated auto-magically. If text has only been styled to look like a heading, then the program cannot distinguish headings from body copy and the resulting table of contents is likely to be meaningless.

Semantic markup also enables content to be shared more readily. Computer programs (for example, search engine indexing programs) are able to more accurately interpret content when semantic markup is used:

  • content types are explicit, for example, an image, tabled data and a list are understood be intrinsically different content types
  • content hierarchies may be explicit, for example, text marked-up level-one heading element can be assumed to be of greater significance than text marked-up as a level-two heading element (on the same webpage)
  • content relationships may be more apparent, for example, parent-child relationships may be assumed in the decision to structure a document using heading elements; the level-one heading one is the main topic, level-two heading a sub-topic, and so on

Semantic markup can be used by assistive technologies, such as text-to-speech browsers, for example:

  • Heading elements can be used to quickly navigate within webpage content (emulating the process of scanning available to sighted users)
  • Attributes can be added to aid pronunciation of words and phrases taken from languages other than that set as the document's 'native' language
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References: [1]www.designtalkboard.com [2]www.webopedia.com [3]www.motive.co.nz [4]www.joedolson.com [5]www.wikipedia.org [6]www.beseenwebdesign.com [7]www.launchmark.com [8]www.101webbuilders.com [9]www.answers.com [10]www.usabilityfirst.com [11]www.designer-info.com

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