Why should you validate your HTML code?

1 What is HTML validation?

HTML validation is the process of checking your HTML code against a set of standards or rules, called the HTML specification. The HTML specification defines how HTML elements, attributes, and syntax should be used and structured to create well-formed and semantic web pages. HTML validation can be done using online tools, such as the W3C Markup Validation Service, or using built-in features in some code editors and browsers.

2 Why is HTML validation important?

HTML validation is important for several reasons. First, it helps you avoid errors and bugs in your code that can affect the functionality, appearance, and accessibility of your web pages. For example, missing or mismatched tags, incorrect attribute values, or invalid characters can cause your web pages to display incorrectly, break the layout, or prevent some users from accessing the content. HTML validation can help you identify and fix these issues before they cause problems.

Second, HTML validation can improve your web performance and SEO. Valid HTML code can make your web pages load faster, use less bandwidth, and be more compatible with different browsers and devices. Moreover, valid HTML code can help search engines understand and index your web pages better, which can boost your ranking and visibility on the web.

Third, HTML validation can enhance your web development skills and professionalism. Writing valid HTML code can help you learn and follow the best practices and standards of web development, which can improve your code quality, readability, and maintainability. Furthermore, writing valid HTML code can show your potential employers and clients that you care about the details, quality, and usability of your web projects, which can increase your credibility and reputation as a web developer.

3 How to validate your HTML code?

There are different ways to validate your HTML code, depending on your preferences and needs. One of the most common and easy ways is to use an online validator, such as the W3C Markup Validation Service. This tool allows you to enter your URL, upload your file, or paste your code, and then it will check your HTML code against the HTML specification and report any errors or warnings. You can also choose which version of HTML you want to validate against, such as HTML5, XHTML, or HTML 4.01.

Another way to validate your HTML code is to use a code editor or a browser that has a built-in validator or a plugin that can perform validation. For example, some code editors, such as Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or Atom, have extensions or packages that can validate your HTML code as you type or save your file, and highlight any errors or warnings in your code. Similarly, some browsers, such as Firefox or Chrome, have developer tools or extensions that can validate your HTML code and show you any errors or warnings in the console or the source view.

4 What are some common HTML validation errors and how to fix them?

When writing HTML, you may encounter some common validation errors. Missing or mismatched tags occur when you forget to close an open tag, close a tag that is not open, or close a tag in the wrong order. Incorrect attribute values appear when you use a value that is not allowed or supported by the HTML specification. Invalid characters happen when you use characters that are not allowed or encoded properly in your HTML code. To fix these errors, ensure that every tag has a matching closing tag, use valid attribute values according to the HTML specification or the documentation of the element or attribute, and use the appropriate character entities or encoding for any special or reserved characters in your HTML code. Reporting and documenting these errors will help you inform and reassure stakeholders, as well as provide valuable insights for improving your cloud security posture.

5 How to practice HTML validation?

One of the best ways to practice HTML validation is to validate your own HTML code regularly and learn from your errors and warnings. You can use any of the methods mentioned above to validate your HTML code and see how you can improve it. You can also compare your HTML code with some examples of valid HTML code and see how they differ and why.

Another way to practice HTML validation is to challenge yourself with some HTML interview questions and preparation. HTML interview questions are often designed to test your knowledge and skills in writing valid, semantic, and responsive HTML code. You can find some HTML interview questions and preparation online, or you can create your own based on the HTML specification and the web development trends. You can then validate your HTML code and see how well you can answer the questions and solve the problems.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?