HTML Computer Code Elements

Computer Code

var person = {

    firstName:"John",

    lastName:"Doe",

    age:50,

    eyeColor:"blue"

}

HTML Computer Code Formatting

Normally, HTML uses variable letter size, and variable letter spacing.

This is not wanted when displaying examples of computer code.

The <kbd>, <samp>, and <code> elements all support fixed letter size and spacing.

HTML Keyboard Formatting

The HTML <kbd> element defines keyboard input:

Example

<p>To open a file, select:</p>

<p><kbd>File | Open...</kbd></p>

HTML Sample Formatting

The HTML <samp> element defines a computer output:

Example

<samp>

demo.example.com login: Apr 12 09:10:17

Linux 2.6.10-grsec+gg3+e+fhs6b+nfs+gr0501+++p3+c4a+gr2b-reslog-v6.189

</samp>

HTML Code Formatting

The HTML <code> element defines programming code:

Example

<code>

var person = { firstName:"John", lastName:"Doe", age:50, eyeColor:"blue" }

</code>

The <code> element does not preserve extra whitespace and line-breaks:

Example

<p>Coding Example:</p>

<code>

var person = {

    firstName:"John",

    lastName:"Doe",

    age:50,

    eyeColor:"blue"

}

</code>

To fix this, you must wrap the code in a <pre> element:

Example

<p>Coding Example:</p>

<code>

<pre>

var person = {

    firstName:"John",

    lastName:"Doe",

    age:50,

    eyeColor:"blue"

}

</pre>

</code>

HTML Variable Formatting

The HTML <var> element defines a mathematical variable:

Example

<p>Einstein wrote:</p>

<p><var>E = m c<sup>2</sup></var></p>