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Chapter 12 Implementation and maintenance
with an ordinary text editor such as the Windows Notepad program or the specialist tools described in a later section.
The operation of HTML is based on a web browser interpreting HTML tags or codes on a web page when it is loaded into the browser as explained in Chapter 3 see the example in
Figure 3.14. Reviewers of previous editions have rightly indicated that a more detailed treat- ment isn’t required in a text focusing on the management issues of e-business systems.
However, we will stress some aspects of HTML development that managers need to be aware of:
1
Standards compliance. The World Wide Web Consortium
www.w3.org
has been promi- nent in defining web standards. However, its primary role is not to promote standards.
This role has been taken up by other advocacy groups such as the WaSP, the Web Standards Project
www.webstandards.orgaboutmission
and the many web design agencies that are passionate about web standards implementation. The use of web standards affects the
quality of service and accessibility levels of sites. It enhances accessibility for the visually impaired and increases the range of previous and future browser versions and access
devices supported. The range of browsers, platforms and visual disabilities supported by a site translates to satisfied customers who will return to it.
In his seminal reference on web standards, Jeffrey Zeldman says that the best way to view web standards is as ‘a continuum, not a set of inflexible rules’. In practice a combination of
the standards shown in Box 12.1 will be required. In particular the use of plug-ins and Ajax should be carefully discussed prior to implementation since according to how widely
adopted the type or version of plug-in or the Ajax application this may exclude some site users or force them to use another plug-in.
Box 12.1
Which web standards should the site support?
The main standards typically followed with current versions are:
1 Structural and semantic standards:
HTML www.w3.orgTRhtml401 XHTML www.w3.orgTRxhtml1
XML www.w3.orgTR2000REC-xml-20001006
2 Presentation languages:
Cascading style sheets CSS www.w3.orgTRcss21
3 Object models:
The Document Object Model DOM, which describes the structural relationship between objects within an HTML or XML document enabling them to be accessed
and updated, for example for form validation www.w3.orgDOMDOMTRdom2
4 Scripting languages:
ECMA Script the standard to which Javascript has evolved which is used for form validation, for example www.ecma-international.orgpublicationsstandards
Ecma-262.htm
5 Plug-in technology for rich Internet applications:
Adobe Flash and Shockwave a proprietary standard for building interactive applications and displaying video http:en.wikipedia.orgwikiMacromedia_Flash
Adobe Acrobot www.adobe.comacrobat the de facto document display standard. Adobe Flex www.adobe.comproductsflex and Microsoft Silverlight www.
microsoft.comsilverlight for building rich Internet applications RIA Streaming media proprietary standards for audio and video such as Real
Networks .rm and Microsoft .wma Java for rich Internet applications www.java.com.