Expert: Andrew Hoffman - 4/20/2008

Question
Difference between html and dhtml

Answer
HTML

Here, we're dealing with markup alone--markup being the tags that make up this language:

<p>text</p>
<table><tr><td>text</td></tr></table>

HTML is nothing more than this.

--

DHTML

Now we're introducing the word "dynamic" (the 'D' in 'DHTML') into HTML.  This is not an actual language and, in a sense, is a buzzword representing dynamic HTML.  The way to make HTML dynamic is through JavaScript.  So, put simply, DHTML is HTML + JavaScript.  You'll sometimes here people claiming that CSS is a part of DHTML as well.  I disagree because of the acronym 'DHTML.' Maybe if it was called 'DHTMLCSS' I would agree.  CSS is used to style HTML and has little to do with dynamic behavior in a semantic sense.

I hope this helps, skinder.