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2.3.6 Scripting
Through scripts, authors may create dynamic Web pages (e.g., "smart forms" that react as users fill them
out) and use HTML as a means to build networked applications.
The mechanisms provided to include scripts in an HTML document are independent of the scripting
language.
2.3.7 Printing
Sometimes, authors will want to make it easy for users to print more than just the current document. When
documents form part of a larger work, the relationships between them can be described using the HTML
LINK element or using W3C's Resource Description Language (RDF) (see [RDF] [p.330] ).
2.4 Authoring documents with HTML 4.0
We recommend that authors and implementors observe the following general principles when working
with HTML 4.0.
2.4.1 Separate structure and presentation
HTML has its roots in SGML which has always been a language for the specification of structural
markup. As HTML matures, more and more of its presentational elements and attributes are being
replaced by other mechanisms, in particular style sheets. Experience has shown that separating the
structure of a document from its presentational aspects reduces the cost of serving a wide range of
platforms, media, etc., and facilitates document revisions.
2.4.2 Consider universal accessibility to the Web
To make the Web more accessible to everyone, notably those with disabilities, authors should consider
how their documents may be rendered on a variety of platforms: speech-based browsers, braille-readers,
etc. We do not recommend that authors limit their creativity, only that they consider alternate renderings
in their design. HTML offers a number of mechanisms to this end (e.g., the alt attribute, the
accesskey attribute, etc.)
Furthermore, authors should keep in mind that their documents may be reaching a far-off audience with
different computer configurations. In order for documents to be interpreted correctly, authors should
include in their documents information about the natural language and direction of the text, how the
document is encoded, and other issues related to internationalization.
2.4.3 Help user agents with incremental rendering
By carefully designing their tables and making use of new table features in HTML 4.0, authors can help
user agents render documents more quickly. Authors can learn how to design tables for incremental
rendering (see the TABLE element). Implementors should consult the notes on tables [p.317] in the
appendix for information on incremental algorithms.
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2.4 Authoring documents with HTML 4.0