DHTML Tutorials

In order to understand the complexities of DHTML, it is useful to examine DHTML's components which are as follows:

• HTML

  It is the core of DHTML. You have to understand the basics before you ever even consider making your plain HTML dynamic. Check your HTML code for errors with NetMechanic's HTML Toolbox  and correct them before they cause problems in your DHTML code.

• Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)

  Plain HTML defines a document's structure, while CSS give you precise control over a document's presentation. They define the font, color, size, and display attributes of elements on the page. With DHTML, you use the CSS properties of a page element to change the element's display.

• Document Object Model (DOM)

  It takes the individual components of the HTML document and organizes them into a hierarchal structure of named objects. You must structure your HTML code to meet the DOM requirements before you can implement DHTML effects.

• JavaScript

  It is the most commonly used scripting language for creating DHTML effects. Since Netscape and Explorer implement DHTML differently, the first component of any DHTML application is usually a JavaScript browser detection script. JavaScript creates effects by accessing the components of the DOM and changing them on the Web page.