Markup Languages

Published on March 28, 2025, filed under (RSS feed for all categories).

You know the big MLs (markup languages): the mother of all markup languages, SGML, its famous offspring, HTML, the visionary cousin, XML, and the strict chatty grandchild, XHTML. That is, these:

Language Since Definition Articles and Videos
SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) 1986 SGML at WebGlossary.info SGML on Frontend Dogma
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) 1991 HTML at WebGlossary.info HTML on Frontend Dogma
XML (Extensible Markup Language) 1998 XML at WebGlossary.info XML on Frontend Dogma
XHTML (Extensible HyperText Markup Language) 2000 XHTML at WebGlossary.info XHTML on Frontend Dogma

But—and this takes a different path than Wikipedia on markup languages—did you also know the following “small” markup languages, that is, those calling themselves or being called “markup language,” those that have had some or almost some impact on the Web? (You’ll know at least one, part of the current HTML spec.)

Language Since Definition Articles and Videos
HDML (Handheld Device Markup Language) 1996 HDML at WebGlossary.info HDML on Frontend Dogma
DHTML (Dynamic HTML) * 1997 DHTML at WebGlossary.info DHTML on Frontend Dogma
MathML (Mathematical Markup Language) 1998 MathML at WebGlossary.info MathML on Frontend Dogma
WML (Wireless Markup Language) 1998 WML at WebGlossary.info WML on Frontend Dogma
cHTML (Compact HTML) 1999 cHTML at WebGlossary.info cHTML on Frontend Dogma

This excludes languages like XAML or DDML, because they are XML-based languages that weren’t designed to show content on the Web. But, if you would question or add a language, please let me know!

* Yes, not a language per se but just a term for languages already available at the time—and yet DHTML feels like it must be included in such an overview.

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About Me

Jens Oliver Meiert, on November 9, 2024.

I’m Jens (long: Jens Oliver Meiert), and I’m a web developer, manager, and author. I’ve worked as a technical lead and engineering manager for small and large enterprises, I’m an occasional contributor to web standards (like HTML, CSS, WCAG), and I write and review books for O’Reilly and Frontend Dogma.

I love trying things, not only in web development and engineering management, but also in other areas like philosophy. Here on meiert.com I share some of my experiences and views. (I value you being critical, interpreting charitably, and giving feedback.)