XHTML buzz

[Stanley]

Can anyone tell me why XHTML is such a big deal ? I started reformatting my HTML-code into XHTML (only lowercase, close all tags, allways "alt"-attributes with images,...) because i guess it's just good practice these days. But I don't see any real benefits uptil now...
I try to position as many things with CSS as possible, but I still use a lot of tables...

Stanley

 

[Murlyn]

Well I believe it's just because it's the intermediary step between HTML and XML... there really is no good reason, except clean code, to do it in xhtml if you have a simple site.. I like XHTML just because it helps me keep my code looking good

 

[Stanley]

I like XHTML just because it helps me keep my code looking good

True

Now about XHTML as the missing link between XML and HTML

I still have no idea how to see the direct use of XML in a browser. I use XML files as a datasource in flash projects though, and there I see what it's good for.

Still many questions... I am not a Jedi yet I suppose...

Stanley

 

[Murlyn]

Well basically as I understand it.. yes you use it as a datasource and then using xsl.. I believe is the name of it, you determine how your xml is supposed to be shown.. again I see this as a lot more trouble then it is worth..

here is a bit about xsl: http://www.w3.org/TR/xsl/

Cheers!

 

[muso]

XHTML is all about standards. I believe HTML 4.0 was interpreted in widely different ways between platforms and browsers, therefore XHTML (which has a clear set of rules to follow and forces developers to use clean code) was 'invented'.