HTML vs DHTML vs XHTML

HTML

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard markup language used to structure web pages.

Features:

• Defines page structure using elements and attributes.
• Works with CSS for presentation and JavaScript for behavior.
• Modern HTML is standardized as HTML5.

DHTML

DHTML (Dynamic HTML) is not a separate markup language. It is a combination of HTML, CSS, JavaScript and the DOM used to create dynamically changing web pages without necessarily loading a new page.

Examples include changing styles, content or visibility in response to user actions.

XHTML

XHTML (Extensible HyperText Markup Language) reformulates HTML using XML's stricter syntax rules.

Typical rules include properly nesting elements, closing elements, quoting attribute values and using well-formed markup.

Comparison

HTML	DHTML	XHTML
Markup language	Collection of technologies/approach	XML-based reformulation of HTML
Structures content	Adds dynamic behavior	Uses stricter, well-formed syntax
Flexible HTML syntax historically	Uses JavaScript + DOM + CSS	More strict than traditional HTML
Focus: structure	Focus: dynamic interaction	Focus: XML-style correctness

Conclusion: HTML provides structure, DHTML combines web technologies for dynamic behavior, and XHTML applies XML-style rules to HTML.