Dynamic HTML is really just HTML with a few new elements plus access to those elements via a scripting language. The new elements give you more precise control over how your page looks and the new object model lets you manipulate those elements programmatically using scripts.Dynamic HTML is really just HTML with a few new elements plus access to those elements via a scripting language. The new elements give you more precise control over how your page looks and the new object model lets you manipulate those elements programmatically using scripts.

Originally, HTML was designed to use free-flowing layouts. You had little control over how your text and images were displayed on the page. This was in anticipation of pages being viewed on a variety of platforms and machines with different screen sizes and available system fonts.

Later, the <table> and <font> tags were added to allow a little more control over content layout and style. But these still had their limitations. JavaScript was introduced to allowed for some manipulation of certain page elements, such as images and form inputs, through programming but was also somewhat limited.

Now, DHTML has added elements that give you precise control over the look of your page. These elements are:

• Style Sheets let you define different styles for text presentation, such as color, margin size and fonts.
• Content Positioning let's you determine exactly where elements of your page appear within the browser window. Elements can even overlap, be hidden or be moved dynamically.
• Downloadable Fonts ensure that the font you choose for text will be used even if that font is not available on the client's machine.

The Document Object Model (DOM) defines both the properties of various page elements and the methods used to change them. Using scripts, you can dynamically alter the content of your page. For example, changes can be made based on the particular browser being used or in response to a user action.

Browser Compatibility
Both Netscape and Microsoft offer browsers that support DHTML but they differ in both accepted HTML syntax and scripting code.

DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware.

More DHTML Articles
More By MikeHall

 

developerWorks - FREE Tools!

NEW! Best Practices: The Integrated Project and Portfolio Management Platform. Hear how IBM Rational Project and Portfolio Management integrated solutions help teams put the right tools and processes in place to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of project teams and ensure that the business vision is being executed correctly. Learn how to automate and integrate requirements prioritization, top-down project planning, communications and controls, and methodology deployment to keep your scope, costs, and schedules under control. Tackle with an end-to-end approach the management of scope and scope changes, usage of methodology to control and empower project teams, and optimization of resources to align activity costs with the overall project plan. FREE! Go There Now!

NEW! BlammoSplat: Build a community Web site of OpenLaszlo animations, Part 3: The community animation Learn to enable users to both rate existing animations and to combine existing animations into new snippets. This is the third in a series of three tutorials that chronicle the building of a site that enables collaborative discussion and animation building using Domino and OpenLaszlo. FREE! Go There Now!

NEW! Build Web services with transport-level security using Rational Application Developer V7, Part 1: Build Web services and Web services clients Build secure Web services with transport-level security using IBM Rational Application Developer V7 and IBM WebSphere Application Server V6.1. Follow this three-part series for step-by-step instructions about how to develop Web services and clients, configure HTTP basic authentication, and configure HTTP over SSL (HTTPS). This first part of the series walks you through building a Web service for a simple calculator application. You generate and test two different types of Web services clients: a Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE) client and a stand-alone Java client. You also handle user-defined exceptions in Web services. FREE! Go There Now!

NEW! Download the free Web Application Security eKit Discover how IBM Rational AppScan Standard Edition can help you detext vulnerabilities in your web applications in the Web Application Security eKit. IBM Rational AppScan is a leading suite of automated web application security solutions that scan and test for common Web application vulnerabilities. The new Web Application Security eKit provides you with valuable resources, including white papers, demos, and additional information on the benefits of testing your Web applications. FREE! Go There Now!

NEW! Evaluate IBM Lotus Sametime Standard V8.0 Visit IBM developerWorks to download a free trial of the latest release of IBM Lotus Sametime Standard V8.0. Lotus Sametime Standard V8.0 is a platform for unified communications and collaboration that combines security features with an extensible, open solution including integrated Voice over IP, geographic location awareness, mobile clients, and a robust Business Partner community offering telephony and video integration. FREE! Go There Now!

NEW! Rational Asset Manager eKit Learn how to do more with your reusable assets with the free Rational Asset Manager eKit. The eKit includes demos on how Rational Asset Manager tracks and audits your assets in order to utilize them for reuse. Plus you’ll find white papers and a Webcast that discuss the challenges of a Service Oriented Architecture and how Rational Asset Manager can provide quick and effective solutions. FREE! Go There Now!

NEW! Software Change and Configuration Management Solution Guidelines This whitepaper provides areas to consider when evaluating any software configuration management solution. It addresses how the IBM solutions (Rational ClearCase and Rational ClearQuest) meet the needs and requirements of both project leaders and developers to provide successful Software Change and Configuration Management. FREE! Go There Now!

NEW! Trial download: IBM Rational Functional Tester V7.0.1 Get a free trial download of the latest version of IBM Rational Functional Tester V7.0.1. Rational Functional Tester is an automated functional and regression testing solution for QA teams concerned with the quality of their Java, Microsoft Visual Studio .NET, and Web-based applications. FREE! Go There Now!

NEW! Using Rational Business Developer to enhance your developer productivity Join this Rational Talks to You teleconference, to hear how Enterprise Generation Language (EGL) eliminates the need for tedious and error-prone low level coding, so developers can focus on business requirements. EGL extends the Rational software development platform with a simplified programming language that enables developers who have little or no experience with Java, Web technologies or Service Oriented Architecture, to create enterprise-class applications and services quickly and easily. It also allows developers who may have little or no mainframe programming experience to quickly create traditional mainframe components. FREE! Go There Now!

NEW! Webcast: Eclipse: Empowering the universal platform The Eclipse community is constantly working to extend Eclipse's functionality. In this webcast, learn about some of the most important and feature-rich projects under development. From multi-language support to plug-in development, tune in to see what Eclipse is capable of now. FREE! Go There Now!

All FREE IBM® developerWorks Tools!