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What is Dynamic HTML?
Dynamic HTML (DHTML) describes a set of new technologies for designing
Web pages that allow new and more precise formatting features, along with
faster access for users.
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Is DHTML a new language?
DHTML is not a new language. DHTML is simply a snazzy name for a set of
new features that recent Web browsers are equipped to interpret and use. DHTML
features work only within the context of a standard HTML document.
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How does DHTML work?
DHTML uses two new pieces in concert with HTML. The first is scripts that
run on the user's browser, written in a scripting language such as JavaScript
or VBScript. The other is Cascading Style Sheets, a new method of specifying
exact styles for a Web page's elements.
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What can I do with DHTML?
DHTML allows you to specify many details of the way you want text to
display in a user's browser, including font size, color, and background. You
can also precisely position text blocks and other elements in a Web page
without using tables. One of DHTML's most impressive features, however, is its
ability to instantly change the appearance and content of the current Web page
in response to user actions. While this feature may sound similar to options
already available in HTML, such as links and pop-up boxes, dynamic HTML makes
changes instantly without contacting the Web server, and allows you almost
unlimited formatting options, which plain HTML can't do.
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What do I need to learn to use DHTML?
DHTML features require familiarity with two main technologies. To
manipulate Web page styles dynamically, you need to learn the structure and
syntax of cascading style sheets (CSS). Additionally, in order to make your
Web pages interactive with user actions, you need to become familiar with a
simple scripting language. I recommend learning JavaScript, as it's the only
scripting language compatible with both Navigator and Internet
Explorer.
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What are Cascading Style Sheets?
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is the term for a method of specifying
detailed display information for your Web pages. "Style sheets" refers to the
insertion of style details for individual text blocks, certain tags through
the Web page, or even for tags among several Web pages. "Cascading" describes
the hierarchical structure this formatting follows, allowing you to make
changes to style specifications at lower levels (such as a specific line)
while higher-level formatting (for the tag or section) remains in
force.
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Where can I learn more about DHTML?
The following Web sites contain detailed information about
DHTML: