Yes, You Can Use HTMLÂ 5
Published on Jul 8, 2008 (updated Feb 5, 2024), filed under development, html. (Share this post, e.g., on Mastodon.)
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You can already use HTMLÂ 5: Just use <!DOCTYPE html> as your HTML documentsâ document type.
This works even though you will not yet benefit from new elements and attributes (except for formerly proprietary things like autocomplete). Neither could you use the XHTML serialization (an incentive to use real HTML, as many authors do unknowingly).
A safe thing to do is the ânewâ way of specifying the document encoding by using the charset attribute, however, as in <meta charset="utf-8">. (Feel reminded of the HTMLÂ 5 version of the infamous best HTML template.) Try it. Do not forget to check the transformation result with the HTMLÂ 5 validator.
As an HTML Working Group member who prefers to stay in the background I hope this adds a little to the excitement about HTML 5. Yes, we can! đ [I somewhat regret this pop reference.]
About Me
Iâm Jens (long: Jens Oliver Meiert), and Iâm an engineering lead, guerrilla philosopher, and indie publisher. Iâve worked as a technical lead and engineering manager at various companies (e.g., Google); Iâm an active web and tool developer (code optimization, digital defense), a contributor to web standards (like HTML, CSS, WCAG), and a book author (OâReilly, Frontend Dogma).
I love trying thingsâin web development and engineering management, but also in politics and philosophy, where I hold to one idea in particular: that we can only be well if we take good care of everyone. Here on meiert.com I talk about some of my perspectives and experiences. (Please share feedback: Interpret charitably, keep it friendly, but do be critical.)