Straw Poll - Doctypes

[matelot]

I've looked at the code on an awful lot of sites here, and there's a cross-section of Doctypes in use, or sometimes none at all. Web-wide, the consensus seems to be to use Strict (unless maintaining old legacy sites), but the argument rages over HTML4.01 (5 in the offing) or XHTML1.0/1.1.

I've been using 1.0 Transitional, but have been swayed to 4.01Strict on the grounds that far more browsers support it and will do so for some time to come; there may well be a version 5; coding discipline is tightened; XHTML does nothing for most people and is often served as text/html (so may as well use 4.01); XHTML2 won't be backwards compatible. And so forth.

Example argument here at: http://www.456bereastreet.com/archiv...ttype_headers/

So what do other posters use, and more importantly, WHY?

Cheers

[VanessaJW]

There was a discussion about this not long ago, and Mike Hopley subsequently wrote this article.

I use XHTML 1.0 Strict, just because that's all I know!

[matelot]

Many thanks, Vanessa. I did a search for 'Doctypes', but must have missed Mike's post, hence my straw poll.

An enlightening article.

Cheers

[sannbe]

Html 4.01 strict....someone told me it was the best way to learn to keep your ducks in order. (no, not anyone here.)

[pa007]

I did write a big long reply to this post last night but then I accidentally deleted the tab and didn't have the energy to rerwrite it. So I'll try again though probably not so long this time.

I use XHTML 1.0 Strict. Its demand the most of you as a coder
but allows you to serve the documents as text/html.
HTML STrict is just as valid and to be honest the argument between the two (XHTML and HTML) is a pointless one. It make no difference which you use as long as it is strict. The important thing is that you are creating valid, well-formed documents. XHTML is a stickler for well-formedness which is something I am also picky about so we suit each other. Semantic code, accessible code, valid code, usable design. These are the things you should be worried about they matter more than anything providing youdoctype is a strict one it doesn't matter whether you go for HTML or XHTML. Like I say XHTML demands more of you but they are very similar.

On a side note, I believe you have to serve XHTML 1.1 as application/xhtml+xml as opposed to text/html so unless you are doing this you shouldn't be using XHTML 1.1.

Also the fact that XHTML 2.0 won't be backwards compatible is one of the reasons I'm looking forward to it. A clean break. Its what web design has been waiting for. Its gonna be awesome.

Pete.

[Zonglars]

I've been working on converting my pages to 4.01 Strict, as i like to think of it as... what would a good simpsons quote to use...

"I serve you fresh pasta, not that crap from a can..." - Luigi Rosoto

[Evilaussie]

I've always been using HTML 4.0 Transitional since it's the default one my editor uses... i guess i should change to the 4.01 strict then aye?

-Evil

[VanessaJW]

Yep, always go for strict, whether it's HTML or XHTML.