What is HTML Validation Testing?
The front end of a website's text can be displayed in a variety of ways using HTML's tags and attributes. HTML code must have the proper syntax and format, which is ensured through HTML validation testing. During a visual inspection, it can be simple to miss problems like open tags or misspelt words. Even if a web page has multiple HTML mistakes, it will still appear correct and work as intended. This is so that improper HTML syntax can be supported by browsers. Why then do we even need to validate if that is the case?
To communicate clearly in any language, syntax is essential. These standards are upheld by the Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group (WHATWG), which is led by experts from Apple, Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
HTML Validation Testing Advantages
HTML validation is optional, however it's crucial to pay attention because it offers a number of advantages:
• Code that is transparent and accurate — Clean code is a great practise for a variety of reasons. For starters, tidy code is simpler for the following developer to read and extend. It's also simpler to maintain. Having clean code will guarantee that the website appears and functions as the developer intended, in addition to being best practise.
• Performance: Clean code runs more quickly. This should be simple if you are starting from scratch with a website. Yet, if you work on a project with code that has been produced and revised by several people, you are more likely to discover problems. There could be extraneous components, commented-out code, or out-of-date grammar.
• Saves time (and sanity, too): It can be frustrating to try to remedy a syntax issue in code. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack in 100 lines of code to find an open tag. It takes far less time to use a validator than to examine the code line by line for an open tag.
• Cross-browser compatibility - As was previously said, browsers are meant to accept code with validation problems; nevertheless, as each type of browser reacts and displays errors differently, there can be incompatibilities between them. Similar to how mistakes that had been handled to display as intended might no longer behave as they did as browsers are updated.
• Enhances search engine results - Web pages that comply will appear more prominently in search engine results.
How to Inspect HTML
The HTML validation testing process is straightforward: choose your tool, decide how to enter source code, then check for and fix any problems.
1. Choose an appropriate tool
Using online validation tools is arguably the most well-liked validation technique.
Tools that may be utilised online and using a web browser
• The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), an association of experts with the mission of developing and preserving Web standards, offers this free utility. By giving the URI (or link), uploading the.html file, or by copying and pasting the code into the validator, the user of this programme can validate content. The validator additionally has the ability to list error messages sequentially or in groups according to the error type. Furthermore, HTML-Tidy can be used to tidy up the code.
• Users can also validate via link, file, or text using the free Validator.nu's Live Validator (supported by the Mozilla Foundation).
Encoding and parser type validation options are available. However, there is a streamlined interface that will validate in accordance with the document's HTTP content type if the user is unsure. If the user prefers, the validator can also be accessed as a Web service.
Browser add-ons - There are browser extensions for HTML validation in both Chrome and Firefox. The user can validate inside the Developer Tools rather than transmitting the code to a third party using this less prevalent option. Because the validator will operate locally, this option is especially advantageous if the user lacks internet access.
• HTML Validator Chrome extension - A well-liked Chrome addon that is based on HTML Tidy is HTML Validator. This extension is being actively maintained as of the time of writing.
• HTML Validator Firefox add-on- Validator for HTML The same person who offers the Chrome extension also maintains the Firefox add-on. Moreover, the Firefox add-on is often updated.
2. Choose the source input method.
You can validate a URI by simply typing the address into the field, or you can choose to validate by File Upload if you already have the.html file on your computer. The code can also be copied and pasted directly into the validator. Each method evaluates the code and reports any mistakes that are discovered. Remember that the validator can only verify one page at a time when validating by URI, which might be time-consuming and feel redundant.
3. Examine and fix errors.
The validator's error messages will include a description and the code's line number. You can utilise this information to troubleshoot the issues since you will know where to look and what to look for. The user can also check for faults again after making corrections until the validation is successful.
Validation of JavaScript and CSS
Similar tools are available for evaluating CSS and JavaScript, even though this article is focused on HTML validation testing specifically.
• CSS: W3C's CSS Validator is similar to the HTML Validation Service previously discussed.
• JavaScript : JSHint is a JavaScript tool that looks for faults and common syntax errors. They are both open for use.
Challenges
It's crucial to remember that valid code doesn't necessarily imply flawless code. Consider the scenario when a developer is asked to add a new product to the website for an online store. The developer fills up the template with generic filler language like "Lorem Ipsum" while she waits for the Product Owner to provide the description. The site must suddenly go live. The developer submits the code to a validator while disregarding the description. There aren't any problems returned by the "Lorem Ipsum" description. Like the last example, it would not be considered a mistake if the developer's description stated that the device utilises "UDB-C" rather than "USB-C."
Having a code that is 100 percent valid is likewise not always possible. For instance, some programmes, like Rocket Loader from Cloudflare, add code that may result in an invalid line. The website may appear perfectly now, but will it continue to do so in the future? Does the advantage of the instrument exceed the potential for future conflict?
Another difficulty is that the testing or development environment cannot always be a perfect duplicate of the production environment. Unknown variables are implemented for testers by additional code in production, such as tags for analytics. QAs can test their environment, but even minor production modifications can cause problems when unanticipated problems crop up.
Conclusion
To make sure your code complies with industry standards, test it for HTML validation. Additionally, it provides both the user and developer with a number of advantages. Also, it can enhance website functionality, which will ultimately save time. To guarantee that the page presents accurate information in the manner they intend, developers must still utilise their own proofreading skills.