Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language (DHTML)
June 25th, 2008
Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language (DHTML), rather than being a distinct language on its own, was meant to be the technique whereby JavaScript can dynamically manipulate XHTML/HTML tags’ content and CSS styles, thereby creating rich client interfaces. According to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C): “Dynamic HTML is a term used by some vendors to describe the combination of HTML, style sheets and scripts that allows documents to be animated.” Understanding DHTML is about using JavaScript, the Document Object Model (DOM), HTML events and Cascade Style Sheets (CSS) to create dynamic and interactive web pages should help someone if they are searching for web pages using DHTML.
While I was searching for web pages which utilized DHTML I found a lot of pages that dealt with interactive menus. I learned about the different objects that can function within pages that are designed in either XHTML 1 and HTML 4. I learned that DHTML is about the compatibility of the DOM and their properties and methods.
I saw pages that allowed for keyboard access (arrow key navigation). As I mentioned, I saw a lot of menubar objects; static vertical and horizontal layout, floating, drag, drop & dock behaviors. With DHTML the developer can create intelligent popups instead of using, overusing the menubar objects through buttons. Also, as we are familiar, JavaScript may also be utilized whether it is the menubar or a button to give client-side events a boost. I also found large menu items with scrollable grouping allowing the user to adjust the viewable portion of the group. DHTML web pages allowed for different colors, sizes, borders, and fonts, all of which make for a highly customized look and feel.
While utilizing your DHTML toolbox to create and show off your skills, an abstemious website might also be in the running for most appealing. Some of the pages I found to be a bit too much. The overuse of colors, actions and others techniques made some pages just too confusing. I’m not sure that shaking text is appropriate anywhere on a web page. Sometimes, a user might input valid information that doesn’t meet the validation requirements. In that case, the user has no choice than to leave the page altogether.
I agree that less is best when it comes to web design. If it’s not a game, why make it look like one? Conservative use of color and objects will make a web page more accessible and easy to use for a larger web audience.
1) Drag and Drop DHTML: http://neb.net/playground/dragdrop/
http://brothercake.com/scripts/dbx/dbx.html
http://www.w3schools.com/dhtml/tryit.asp?filename=trydhtml_move
2) Interactive Menus: http://www.projectseven.com/products/menusystems/index.htm
http://www.w3schools.com/dhtml/tryit.asp?filename=trydhtml_menu_slidehorizontal
3) Shaking examples: http://www.w3schools.com/dhtml/tryit.asp?filename=trydhtml_earthquake
http://www.w3schools.com/dhtml/tryit.asp?filename=trydhtml_link_shake
http://www.w3schools.com/dhtml/tryit.asp?filename=trydhtml_img_shake
Dynamic HTML (DHTML) References: http://www.w3schools.com/dhtml/dhtml_examples.asp
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms533050(VS.85).aspx
http://www.w3schools.com/dhtml/tryit.asp?filename=trydhtml_randombanner
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