Understanding HTML Entities
HTML entities are vital for representing characters that are reserved in HTML or are not readily available on standard keyboards. They enable accurate rendering and clarity in your web documents.
Syntax
The basic syntax for using HTML entities includes:
- &entity_name;
- entity_number;
Note: Entity names are case-sensitive.
Entity Name and Entity Number
Here are some useful symbols along with their entity names and numbers:
Notation | Symbols | Entity Name | Entity Number |
---|
non-breaking space | | | |
< | < | less than | |
® | ® | registered trademark | ® |
© | © | copyright | © |
€ | € | euro | € |
¥ | ¥ | yen | ¥ |
£ | £ | pound | £ |
¢ | ¢ | cent | ¢ |
“ | “ | double quotation mark | " |
& | & | ampersand | & |
> | > | greater than | |
∂ | ∂ | PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL | ∂ |
∃ | ∃ | THERE EXISTS | ∃ |
∅ | ∅ | EMPTY SETS | ∅ |
∇ | ∇ | NABLA | ∇ |
∈ | ∈ | ELEMEN OF | ∈ |
∉ | ∉ | NOT AN ELEMENT OF | ∉ |
+ | + | PLUS SIGN | + |
Examples of HTML Entities
Below are examples demonstrating how to display various currency symbols using HTML entities:
Different Entity Symbol Representation
Indian currency: ₹
Euro: €
Pound: £
Yen: ¥
Dollar: $
Advantages and Disadvantages of HTML Entities
Advantages
Entity names are often easier to remember compared to numeric values.
Disadvantages
Not all browsers support every entity name, making it necessary to rely on entity numbers in some cases.
Non-Breaking Space
This HTML entity, represented by , ensures that words stay together without breaking onto new lines. For example:
Combining Diacritical Marks
Diacritical marks are glyphs added to letters to alter their pronunciation. They can appear above, below, or even within letters, enhancing the character representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are HTML entities?
HTML entities are representations of reserved characters in HTML, allowing for the correct display of symbols and special characters.
How do I use HTML entities?
To use HTML entities, write them in the format &entity_name; or entity_number;.
Why are HTML entities necessary?
They prevent ambiguity and ensure that reserved characters are displayed accurately on web pages.
Are all browsers compatible with HTML entities?
Most modern browsers support HTML entities, but it's advisable to check compatibility for specific entity names.