When would you use the html4f, html4s and html4t tags?

Question

I know the html4f, html4s and html4t tags refer to different html 4 doctypes but I can't find reference as to when or why they would be used?

Thank you

Answer 1

These are not HTML4 tags (elements), you can confirm this from the Index of Elements in the HTML 4.01 Specification.

There is reference to them as "HTML Snippets" in the book Introducing .NET 4.0: With Visual Studio 2010 by Alex Mackey. The book describes them as "doctype snippets" (shortcuts) for the following:

• html4f - HTML 4.01 Frameset doctype declaration
• html4s - HTML 4.01 Strict doctype declaration
• html4t - HTML 4.01 Transitional doctype declaration

So, on the assumption that you are using these "snippets" in this context, that is as a shortcut for document type declaration, then you can refer to the section HTML version information in the HTML 4.01 Specification for guidance on when to use them.

Answer 2

Those elements do not appear in any version of HTML. They might appear in some language which you convert to HTML.

They appear to map on to the three HTML 4 Doctypes:

HTML 4 Frameset: For documents consisting of <frame> elements

HTML 4 Transitional: For use while transitioning from HTML 3.2

HTML 4 Strict: "Proper" HTML 4

These days, you are usually better off using HTML 5.