Relatively New Things You Should Know about HTML with Chris Coyier
Jan 30, 2025
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Chris Coyier, co-founder of CodePen and a front-end web development expert, explores the future of HTML as we approach 2025. He discusses the slow evolution of HTML compared to other technologies like CSS and JavaScript. Coyier emphasizes backward compatibility and highlights new HTML elements that boost accessibility. He introduces web components, including the shadow DOM, and explains how they can coexist with frameworks like React. Additionally, he covers the 'inert' attribute for improved user accessibility in modals.
HTML evolves slowly compared to CSS and JavaScript due to its foundational role, emphasizing the need for backward compatibility.
New elements like the 'search' tag and the 'inert' attribute improve accessibility and UX while enhancing developers' coding efficiency.
Deep dives
The Evolving Nature of HTML
HTML tends to evolve more slowly than other web technologies like CSS and JavaScript due to its foundational role in web development. Every website relies on HTML, making backward compatibility and stability essential. This cautious pace is akin to the concept of 'pace layers,' where the core components of technology change less frequently to avoid breaking existing systems. While HTML sees fewer changes, it remains critical in the web development ecosystem, as all new features must ensure they do not disrupt the foundational structure of the web.
Introducing New HTML Elements
Recent discussions highlight the introduction of new HTML elements, such as the 'search' tag, which automatically assigns an ARIA role for improved accessibility. Such innovations, while simple, enhance web semantics and provide developers with intuitive options that simplify coding. The resilience of HTML allows browsers to handle unknown tags without errors, providing flexibility for new features. Developers are encouraged to embrace these new elements for their convenience and potential to improve user experience.
The Importance of Inert Attribute for Accessibility
The 'inert' attribute simplifies accessibility by making elements non-interactive when not in use, which is advantageous for modals and off-screen navigation. This attribute prevents users from tabbing into elements that are currently not part of the visible interface, ensuring a smoother experience. While using the 'dialog' element automatically provides similar functionality, 'inert' can be beneficial for custom modals. Its streamlined approach to handling focus management improves both developer workflow and user accessibility.
View Transitions and the Future of Web Interactivity
View transitions enable seamless animations between pages, enhancing user interface transitions without relying solely on JavaScript frameworks. This feature captures the state of a web page before navigation, allowing for visually appealing transitions through simple CSS properties. Such developments are a response to what developers naturally desire, promoting innovation that aligns with common user expectations and behavior. The ongoing evolution towards incorporating these interactive elements marks a significant step forward in creating more dynamic web experiences without compromising traditional server-rendered sites.
Chris Coyier, co-founder of CodePen, talks about the evolving landscape of HTML heading into 2025. He delves into topics like the slow evolution of HTML compared to CSS and JavaScript, the importance of backwards compatibility, new HTML elements and pseudo-elements, and the potential of declarative shadow DOM for server-side rendering in web components.
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Special Guest: Chris Coyier.
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