Dynamic HyperText Markup Language

What Does Dynamic HyperText Markup Language Mean?

Dynamic HyerText Markup Language (DHTML) is a combination of Web development technologies used to create dynamically changing websites. Web pages may include animation, dynamic menus and text effects. The technologies used include a combination of HTML, JavaScript or VB Script,
CSS and the document object model (DOM).

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Designed to enhance a Web user’s experience, DHTML includes the following features:

  • Dynamic content, which allows the user to dynamically change Web page content
  • Dynamic positioning of Web page elements
  • Dynamic style, which allows the user to change the Web page’s color, font, size or content

Techopedia Explains Dynamic HyperText Markup Language

While DHTML enhances the website user’s experience, the technology may also be frustrating for users when it is used incorrectly. For example, a website menu with flashy DHTML animations can easily confuse user navigation. Another DHTML issue occurs when Web developers attempt to create cross-browser DHTML, which is very difficult.

For Web developers, DHTML poses the following problems:

  • It can be difficult to develop and debug because of lack of Web browser and technological support.
  • DHTML scripts may not work correctly in various Web browsers.
  • The Web page layout may not display correctly when it is developed to display in different screen size combinations and in different browsers.

As a result of these problems, Web developers must determine whether DHTML enhances the user experience in any given context. Most Web developers abandon complex DHTML and use simple cross-browser routines to improve user experience, as opposed to integrating excessive DHTML visual effects.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…