Robert Tolossa CIS231 The Evolution of HTML: HTML 5 Section I One of the truly amazing things about the

internet and the lighting fast pace of technology we see is how developers create new products and services to accommodate the rest of the world. Already in the second decade of the new millennium, it seems as though the progression of new emerging technologies, new languages, faster and smaller processors are moving forward at an exponential speed. It was just a little over a decade ago when the first laptop personal computers were sold to the public, now it seems that everyone has either a smart phone or a tablet both of which almost leave laptops obsolete. But this paper is not about a device, per say, but rather a tool. A tool used to create tools; a tool to inspire creativity and expression; a tool to develop and become a part of the most fascinating creations in human history. This tool is HTML, and it has helped build the information super highway which informs, entertains, and accelerates the way we live our lives from the ground up. Section II In terms of the World Wide Web and web development, HTML5 is the exciting new instrument to easily create new web pages. HyperText Mark Up Language or HTML for short is the foundation upon which the internet and all the web pages we see is rooted upon. HTML is language that is always reshaping and evolving to further serve the purpose of the people who use it. Its heavily developed and regulated by the World Wide Web consortium which also set the standards and publish generally accepted web development practices and theories. The original form of HTML, mostly created by Tim Burners-Lee, was developed through the 1980s and published in the mid-1990s; HTML has set the standard for Mark Up languages and is undoubtedly one of the most used languages around the world. HTML5 is just around the corner, and promises some rather exciting changes for our future. HTML5 will work just as its predecessors have for the past years at least for the most part. It will continue to use other languages along-side of it such as Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), JavaScript and JQuery. The new addition of HTML is also much more user friendly. According to Adrian Bridgwater of Computer Weekly, HTML5 also benefits from its easier (than old HTML) methods for updating web applications that do not require users to download or install physical updates to their machines; as we might consider normal with a "native" app that is installed directly onto a user's smartphone, tablet or indeed any other device. This essentially means that Adobes Flash could be rendered useless because of HTML5. Previously if users wanted to view certain content on the internet, they were required to either install or update certain plug ins that would allow them to see what they wanted to see. However according to a peer reviewed document authored by Lin Grensing-Pophal, constantly downloading plugins wasnt necessarily a problem from the end users it was a problem for developers. No longer will users need to continually update their plug in, since this newer version of HTML5 aims to standardize this problem. Another great improvement is that HTML5 video will be easier to index. According to Eric Papczun of SearchEngineLand.com, Flash code is compiled, which makes it much more difficult to search for

content within the video. HTML5 however, is read as plain text and can be formatted to be searched through search engines. In his article Why you should Adopt HTML5 Now, Papczun explains that HTML5 improves the search engines understanding of the structure and content of a video and provides greater accessibility. These are just some of the advantages that the new language can provide. These concepts were kept in mind while developing the language to help end users experience and give companies a greater advantage by supplying them with a simpler more capable language. Section III According to an infographic provided by Chris Casale, 75% of developers have fully adopted HTML5. The great thing about HTML5 is this; its not just limited to certain companies because its a tangible object. Its just a new language based on older versions of HTML with some fancy new features. In essence, its available to anybody and everybody. So to say that its going to influence companies around the world really doesnt give the emerging technology justice. HTML5 will surely change the World Wide Web and the mobile devices our society praise so frequently. Companies understand what amazing things this new language can provide, and many of them are already jumping ship. Up until 2011, YouTube used flash for their videos until switching to HTML5 (Casale). Theres no doubt that mobile devices are playing a larger and larger role within our daily lives. With the inclusion of HTML5 in web applications, businesses will be able to fully utilize and push the limits of mobile web development. Because many companies have established their presence on mobile devices through mobile-capable web pages, applications and the like, theyve chosen to go with HTML5. According to Lin GrensingPophal, it was Apples iPad which really shot HTML5 into the popularity its now getting. HTML5 is capable of working on all web browsers, and able to work across all mobile operating systems. This adds value to many companies because the new language is more user friendly than its predecessors and allows companies to do things with HTML5 that they were not able to do with older installations of HTML. On a different note, HTML5 is also capable of game development. As stated by Patrick Cox of Tympanus.net, HTML5 will be able to help developers create games with its use of the new <canvas> tag. HTML5 provides a great, mobile friendly way to develop fun, interactive games. If youve built Flash games before, youll love building HTML5 games. Just another instance of HTML5 taking over the role Flash once used to dominate. Now this might not be a huge change for Fortune 500 companies but there are thousands of small businesses thats sole purpose is to create mobile games and publish them on mobile markets. These small companies are now able to do this with much less effort because HTML5 can support it. On the subject of mobile devices and applications, HTML5 doesnt stop at easier game development but application development in general. With the rise of mobile devices around the world there is an equal amount of developers creating cool, exciting, informative new apps to go with it. Mobile devices are taking over the world. The adoption of mobile devices continues to grow very rapidly and this means that more and more users will be using their mobile browsers to view your web site or application. HTML5 is the most mobile ready tool for developing mobile sites and apps. With Adobe announcing the death of mobile Flash, you will now count on HTML5 to do your mobile web application development (Cox). Section IV

Because HTML5 is based entirely on its previous installments, the education and training required to use this language is not difficult. In fact, HTML5 is probably as easy to learn as its counter parts. The way students and aspiring IT professionals can understand the use of HTML5 and all it has to offer, is to take courses at universities that not only introduce them to the concept of web development but advocate creativity and individuality. The great thing about learning a new language such as HTML5 is that there are an abundant amount of text books as well as free tutorials and web services that can train you how to use the language at no cost at all. The real factor which will determine whether or not individuals can derive value from this developing language is how creative they are. It can be argued that web development acts as an art. However with this art, there are standards, rules, and generally accepted procedures which are supported by the World Wide Web Consortium. Be that as it may, web development is only as exciting as the people who are creating the content. To be proficient in HTML5, Information Technology professionals might seek to achieve their certification in HTML provided by the W3C. Section V Although HTML5 has not been entirely adopted by web developers of the internet it still has characteristics that many people are excited for. As mentioned before, HTML5 is great because its a technology that isnt restricted to anyone. Its a technology that doesnt cost any money, and its a relatively simple language to understand. Basically anyone with an internet connection and a desire to further their understanding of basic web development theories can learn this language. HTML5 is without a doubt one of this decades emerging technologies that will impact the way we interact with the world around us. From mobile applications, to increasingly fluid mobile capable web sites, the inevitable decline of flash plug-ins, larger support for video and audio throughout the internet and several other new and exciting capabilities that were once not possible. This technology is the future.

Works Cited

Bridgwater, Adrian. "The future for HTML5 is hybrid native mobile apps." CWDN: Computer Weekly and Application Developer Network. N.p., 20 Mar 2013. Web. 13 Jun 2013. <http://www.computerweekly.com/blogs/cwdn/2013/03/the-future-for-html5-is-hybrid-native-mobileapps.html>. Casale, Chris. "HTML5 vs Flash." Accusoft. N.p., 28 Jan 2013. Web. 13 Jun 2013. <http://blog.accusoft.com/posts/2013/january/html5-vs-flash-infographic.html>. Cox, Patrick. "TOP 10 REASONS TO USE HTML5 RIGHT NOW." Tympanus.net. N.p., 24 Nov 2011. Web. 13 Jun 2013. <http://tympanus.net/codrops/2011/11/24/top-10-reasons-to-use-html5-right-now/>. Grensing-Pophal, Lin. "HTML5: Options and Opportunities." EContent 34.2 (2011): 10-2. ProQuest. Web. 13 June 2013 Papczun, Eric. "Why You Should Adopt HTML5 - Now."Search Engine Land. N.p., 17 Jun 2010. Web. 13 Jun 2013. <http://searchengineland.com/why-you-should-adopt-html5now-43879>.