Introduction
In HTML, proper handling of reserved characters and invisible spaces is crucial for accurate rendering. HTML entities are employed to represent specific characters and symbols in a way that browsers can interpret correctly.
Reserved Characters in HTML
Certain characters hold special meanings in HTML and require representation using entities to prevent misinterpretation:
<(less than) is represented as<>(greater than) is represented as>
HTML Character Entities
HTML character entities come in two formats: entity names and entity numbers.
- Entity Names: &entity_name;
- Entity Numbers: &#entity_number;
Common HTML Character Entities:
| Result | Description | Entity Name | Entity Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-breaking space | Represents a space that will not break into a new line. | ||
| < | Less than sign | < | < |
| > | Greater than sign | > | > |
| & | Ampersand | & | � |
| “ | Double quotation mark | “ | “ |
| ‘ | Single quotation mark | ‘ | ‘ |
| ¢ | Cent | ¢ | ¢ |
| £ | Pound | £ | £ |
| ¥ | Yen | ¥ | ¥ |
| € | Euro | € | € |
| © | Copyright | © | © |
| ® | Trademark | ® | ® |
Note: Entity names are case-sensitive.
Combining Diacritical Marks
Diacritical marks, which include accents, can be seamlessly combined with alphanumeric characters using entity numbers. This practice allows the creation of characters that may not be directly present in the character set used on the page.
Examples:
| Mark | Character | Construct | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| ̀ | a | à | à |
| ́ | a | á | á |
| ̂ | a | â | â |
| ̃ | a | ã | ã |
| ̀ | O | Ò; | Ò |
| ́ | O | Ó | Ó |
| ̂ | O | Ô | Ô |
| ̃ | O | Õ | Õ |
Conclusion
Understanding and effectively utilizing diacritical marks through entity numbers contribute to the diversity of characters that can be displayed in HTML. This skill expands the range of symbols and characters available for web content creation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: Diacritical marks are employed to create accented characters, providing accurate representation in scenarios where direct input is challenging.
2. What is the significance of combining diacritical marks with alphanumeric characters?
Ans: Combining diacritical marks enhances the versatility of HTML, allowing the creation of characters not inherently present in the character set of the page.
HTML character entities ensure that special characters and symbols are rendered consistently across different browsers and devices, preventing misinterpretation and display issues caused by varying default character sets.
