The W3C is the World Wide Web Consortium and provides guidelines based on best practice, regarding how websites and web pages should be structured and created for long-term durability. The W3C validation is a standard for specified machine language, checking web documents, spelling, grammar, syntax, and proofreading code.
A validator is a software program that can check your web pages against the web standards. When using a validator to check HTML, XHTML or CSS documents, the validator returns a list of errors found, according to your chosen standard. Make sure you make it a habit to validate all your web pages before publishing.
You will have 45 minutes to research and answer the following questions or action statements. Record each question/statement followed by your answer. Be prepared to discuss your findings in class at the conclusion of this laboratory practice.
What are some benefits of HTML validation? (List and describe at least three from W3C.)
Describe the type of errors displayed by a browser. (Give examples.)
Describe the type of errors uncovered by a validator. (Give examples.)
How is web page validation a sign of professionalism?
Answer the following customer concern: "My site looks right and works fine - isn't that enough?" (Research Hint: WYSINWOG)
How do valid web pages promote web accessibility? (Describe the relationship.)
"The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect." ~ Tim Berners-Lee (Creator of the World Wide Web)