HTM vs HTML: The Differences Simplified!
You have seen many HTML files with different file extensions. Some have HTML extensions, while some have HTM. Now, many of you are wondering why different extension names are used for the same HTML files.
And, it is important to know about it – as it will directly impact web development and file management as well.
In general, both of these extensions serve the same objective, which is to create and design web pages. The primary distinction is in their names.
If that is it, then this blog has got you covered. So, without any further ado – let’s get to the blog.
What is HTML?
HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language – created by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989. It is now the foundation of the World Wide Web and powers the majority of websites you see on the Internet.
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are among the fundamental technologies of the World Wide Web. They help in the creation and design of websites. HTML uses a range of tags and components to specify the layout and organization of a web page.
All in All, HTML is not a programming language but a markup language, meaning it doesn’t have logic like conditional statements or loops. Instead, it focuses on structuring the content so web browsers can interpret and display it properly.
What is HTM?
HTM is not any other technology or something. It is just a shortened version of the .html file extension. In the early days of computing, some operating systems, like MS-DOS and early versions of Windows, restricted file extensions to three characters. To comply with these limitations, .htm was adopted as an alternative to .html.
Today, with modern operating systems supporting longer file extensions, .html has become the standard, but .htm is still used occasionally, especially for compatibility with older systems or software.
Functionally, there is no difference between the two. A file saved as example.html and one saved as example.htm will both work the same way when opened in a web browser. Most modern web developers, however, opt for .html as it aligns with current standards and practices while some developers use .htm as it is compatible with older browsers.
HTML Vs HTM: How it Differs & Which One to Choose?
1. Origin
HTML: The origin of the extension.html is because of the full name of the language—HyperText Markup Language. It was introduced as the standard file extension for all the files created in HTML. This extension represents the complete language name and is in wide use to support longer file extensions.
HTM: Alternatively, the.htm extension was first designed because of early operating system limitations like MS-DOS and early Windows, when the maximum file extensions are limited to 3 characters. So, .htm was derived as the abbreviation of.html for good adaptability under such restrictions. It seems to be a feasible solution to ensure compatibility in such situations.
Fundamentally, HTML and htm serve the same purpose. The only difference is that.html presents the full name of the language, while.htm was used and became popular because of the restrictions in earlier versions.
2. Usage
The .html extension is the standard medium to save HTML documents. It is widely used in web development today and is suitable for most files because of its widespread alignment and compatibility with all modern browsers and operating systems, making it the go-to choice for developers.
HTM extension is not standard and is only being used in older or legacy systems because of the limitations in early Windows versions. Although it is still supported by modern browsers and systems for backward compatibility, its usage has decreased significantly. And, developers typically use .htm only when working with older platforms or files that need compatibility with legacy formats.
All in all, .html is the standard medium for saving files, while .htm is associated with older systems.
3. Standardization
The .html extension is compliant with modern-day web standards and is also the standardized file extension for HTML documents. Due to its compatibility, HTML has been the default for web development, and it’s the best practice employed by developers to ensure uniformity, clarity, and compatibility with modern tools and technologies.
The .htm extension is not a modern standard; it’s more of a legacy adaptation from the early days. Supported by browsers and systems for backward compatibility, though it is not in use as a standard practice by companies or developers in modern web development.
At its core, .html is the standard and best practice for web development while HTM is suitable for legacy systems.
4. Future-Proofing
The .html extension is adaptable and is the standard file extension. All contemporary browsers, tools, and technologies widely support it. It is considered the best practice due to its compatibility with current and future systems for modern web development. This makes it future-proof and a reliable choice for long-term projects.
The .htm extension is still supported but is less popular among developers when it comes to modern web development. Because it is suitable for legacy systems and outdated practices – this makes it less ideal for future-proofing. And, as technology evolves, reliance on .htm might decrease further, leading to compatibility challenges with newer tools and platforms.
.html is the preferred extension for future-proofing web projects whereas .htm is more suitable for maintaining compatibility with older systems but may not be as reliable for long-term use.
5. Adapting to New Technologies
HTML extension is a standard one and is adaptable to all the new tools and technologies. Due to this, it is well-suited for adapting to new technologies in web development. Also, various technologies like progressive web apps, sophisticated front-end frameworks, and APIs can be seamlessly integrated with .html files.
The .htm extension is curated for compatibility with legacy systems, so it is not at all adaptable to new technologies. Although modern browsers and tools still support .htm, its use in new technologies is somewhat rare. Also, most of the new technologies are optimized for .html as the default standard, making .htm less convenient for developers when it comes to working with the latest technologies.
So, .html is more adaptable to emerging technologies, whereas .htm may face limitations due to its legacy-oriented nature.
6. Cross-Browser Compatibility
The .html extension is end-to-end cross-browser compatible and is fully supported by all modern web browsers. As the standard and most adopted extension for HTML documents, browsers always interpret and render .html files nicely without any problem. This ensures seamless cross-browser compatibility.
The .htm extension is also cross-browser compatible since modern browsers are designed to support it alongside the .html. However, its usage is less frequent in contemporary web development, as most advanced tools or environments may default to .html, which might cause minor inconveniences when integrating or collaborating.
In summary, while both .html and .htm are supported by browsers, .html is the standard due to its modern adoption and easy integration into tools and workflows.
7. Creation of web Page
The .html extension is the standard choice for creating web pages in modern development. It allows developers to save files with the full name of HyperText Markup Language. This ensures alignment with current practices and tools. Most text editors and IDEs extend the file extension to.html when saving the HTML files, making it convenient for developers.
The.htm extension also supports creating web pages and is functionally the same as.html. It’s much less used in modern development flows. It is usually applied where there are legacy systems or considerations around compatibility. Modern tools still do support.htm, but they may require manual adjustment to save files with this extension.
In summary, while both.html and.htm can be used in the creation of web pages, modern website development most often uses.html. Since this has been standardized and is compatible with contemporary technologies and tools.
To Wrap!
Here’s everything you need to know about the difference between .html vs .htm file extension. Both have the same use cases but for different purposes. While HTML extension is suitable for modern web development practices and is computable with new tools & technologies.
And, .htm is used for traditional and legacy systems. So, it boils down to your business and project requirements on which to choose.
As the tech evolves, it is recommended to switch to the .html extension to ensure compatibility with modern tools & technologies and keep up with future changes as well.
