Deprecated HTML tags in HTML5: get up to date!

Front end developmentProgramming

Redacción Tokio | 08/11/2022

Web development represents an ecosystem in constant evolution and transformation. That means, not only components in programming languages need to be consistently updated, but also do web browsers. As such, there’s a series of deprecated HTML tags in HTML5 that it’s advisable not to use.

For these and other reasons, web design professionals must ensure they take part in their constant education efforts. Updating their knowledge and being up to date when it comes to the latest trends in front-end development is essential for every person who wants to be part of this field.

Today, we’re going to explore the deprecated HTML tabs in HTML5 and what the current alternatives for them are. We’ll also go through a bit of this programming language’s history and what the best alternatives are if you wish to get in-depth knowledge about the world of web development.

 

HTML5: a language in constant evolution

HTML is the standard that defines websites since the very beginning of the Internet. In fact, the history of this programming system goes back a long time, with its ensuing evolution being especially significant.

However, the basis of HTML hasn’t changed much throughout all these years. This language works as a system where tags and attributes organize a website. In other words, through HTML we’re able to determine what we want the website to show by tagging it appropriately.

As such, HTML represents every website’s skeleton, telling the web browsers we use where everything is. In order to provide a format and a visual style to that skeleton, CSS is used.

As HTML is a language in constant evolution, the years and transformations that have led to HTML have meant there are certain attributes and tags that have become obsolete. Let’s go through the deprecated HTML tabs in HTML5 and the recommendations for substituting them.

 

What are the deprecated HTML tags in HTML 5?

As we were saying, time and the evolution of HTML5 mean there are several tags that have become obsolete. These elements can still be employed, but their use is not recommended. This is because, although web browsers still support them, they might not do so soon, so that websites using obsolete tags would not be correctly visualized any more.

Let’s now see in a simplified version what the deprecated HTML tags in HTML5 are and how they might be substituted. Some of these outdated elements can now be implemented directly from CSS.

Obsolete tag What does it do? What is the alternative?
applet Related to Java applets embed, object
acronym Insert acronyms acronym
bgsound Group headings header, div
isindex Creates a field for searches imput
listing, xmp> Shows fragments of source code pre, code
basefont Defines the typography shown on the website by default Implemented from CSS
big Indicates the font size Introduced from CSS
center Centered the text Implemented from CSS
font Defines a particular typography for a website paragraph Introduced from CSS
menu Creates list menus ul

A proficient web developer is up to date regarding all changes that are experimented by this language. In order to do so, constant training is essential.

 

What about attributes? Obsolete attributes in HTML5

Attributes in HTML5 are elements that are added to tags and incorporate additional information at the beginning of it. They can thus modify or aggregate certain specific characteristics. For instance, in order to determine the route in which an image is found, we may add the src attribute within the tag.

Just like with deprecated HTML tags in HTML5, there are certain attributes that have become outdated or that are directly implemented from CSS. Let’s see which ones they are and how to substitute them.

In the case of obsolete HTML attributes, all the ones cited below except for name and language are now part of their respective tags; the rest of the obsolete attributes are directly implemented from the CSS style sheet.

Obsolete attribute What tag is it in? What’s it for
name a, embed, img, option Creates an anchor with which something is identified within the website
language script Indicates the type of language that’s being used
link body Manages link colors
alink body An alternative to manage link colors
vlink body The third option to indicate the color of a link in HTML 
bgcolor body Establishes a background color for the website
align, valign table A vertical or horizontal aligning within a HTML table
hspace, vspace table, iframe Indicates the spaces within HTML tables
cellpadding table The space between cells within a HTML table
cellspacing table An alternative of the one above
nowrap td, th Establishes a fixed size for each cell within an HTML table

 

Get specialized training as a Front-End developer!

We’ve gone through the main attributes as well as the deprecated HTML tags in HTML5, a first step in updating or improving your knowledge in HTML, the skeleton of any website. Now it’s your time to take the next step, the moment when you become adequately ready to work as a Front-End developer.

In order to do so, you not only need to learn HTML, but you must also be proficient in JavaScript and CSS. Are you interested in it? At Tokyo School we offer a Front-End programming course: HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript. You’ll become a coding samurai!

Want to learn more about this course or our school? Feel free to ask! Fill in the form below and take the next step. Become a Tokyer! We’re waiting for you!


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