(X)HTML: Coding, Programming, or Neither?

Webgraphics has up a post discussing whether or not :XHTML: and :CSS: can be considered to be [d]coding[/d], [d]programming[/d], or neither of the two.

I’m definitely agreeing with those who say that it fits the definition of “coding” but that it definitely shouldn’t be considered “programming”.  In my mind, programming must involve at a minimum the ability to use logic (and probably conditionals, loops, etc.) within what you’re writing and that simply isn’t available in XHTML and CSS.  It might be even better described as “marking up” rather than coding.

Just sort of a mildly interesting topic, I thought.

Posted Thursday December 18, 2003 in Web Development by Chris Curtis

This is an older entry and as such, it may be by a guest author or contain formatting problems / extraneous code. If you notice something wrong with the entry, please use the Contact page to let me know the entry title and issue.

Comments

Well, here’s my 2 cents, which follows dictionary definitions that are the same as when I was younger and when computers were not in people’s homes:

A program is: “A set of coded instructions that enables a machine, especially a computer, to perform a desired sequence of operations.”

So yes, a program has to have instructions to carry out a sequence of operations.  And what does it use?  Coded instructions.

Obviously, XHTML, and CSS do not represent a set of instructions that performs a desired sequence.  Our web browsers execute programming that parses our XHTML and CSS and takes action based on that parsing.  Hence the proper term you mentioned, markup. (What do people think the “M” in “HTML” stands for anyway?)

However, code means: “A system of symbols and rules used to represent instructions to a computer;”

In other words, text or characters that are useful to a machine or program.  XHTML and CSS qualify.  They are code.  They have and follow strict rules.  They represent instructions for the programs to carry out.

I won’t argue that the word “coding” has grown to be synonymous with “programming” to most people, but it doesn’t really matter I guess.  You are technically coding instructions in a certain fashion when using XHTML and CSS.  And obviously, PHP, Perl, ASP, Java, Javascript, etc., are all programming.  Which you also “code”.

By Derek Jones on December 19, 2003 at 10:10am link

Oops, and I forgot, yes, I do include scripting languages as programming languages.  I haven’t use js that much, but I use a lot of Applescript and script making in File Maker databases--it still uses instructions, variables, conditions, etc.  IMO, they qualify if they fit that, regardless as to their distance from machine level instructions.  Otherwise an assembly language programmer could call C programmers “scripters” or whatever.

By Derek Jones on December 19, 2003 at 10:14am link

Leave Your Comment

Comments may be edited for content or deleted at any time. Civilized discussion is welcome. Anyone spamming, going way off topic, or otherwise being a jerk will probably be deleted or banned.

User Information

pMcode is allowed for comment formatting. pop-up mini reference

Personalization Options

Comment Security