W3C
Nein, nein, nein; W3C isn’t the code name of a German U-boat or any other form of WW-II naval vessel. Far from it – W3C categorically represents the WWC or World Wide Consortium, which, incidentally, is the internationally recognized standards organization for the World Wide Web. Founded by Tim Berners-Lee and run by a team of experts, it dwells on developing and maintaining web standards all over the world. These standards, in turn, help guide web developers and browsers in developing codes that are supposed to match the given standard. As a matter of fact, the codes written by the developers are judged against the rule-book issued by the consortium to see if these are well written or not. It is also a method of testing whether the markup (code) is indeed awesome or just mediocre.
W3C Validation
Since there is a rule-book that defines how to create HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc in proper fashion, it becomes obligatory for every web developer to do a good job of it. However, as with any other spoken or written language that has its lexicon which includes grammar, vocabulary, etc, programming languages, too are guided and governed by their own regulations. To cut a long story short, you can say a code that is written or a website that has been build has passed W3C Validation only when it is free from errors related to syntax, grammar, etc within the programming language as well as other factors detailed below.
Why it Is Relevant That Your Site is W3C Valid?
It is indeed relevant because W3C validation will ensure that the website will function smoothly on most browsers, such as Fire Fox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, etc. It also ensures that it will be free of certain errors and their resultant till effects, some of which are listed below.
- Poor or inadequate display
- Inordinate delay in loading
- Incompatibility with most major browsers
- Poor search engine ranking
- No display on mobile devices
- Inconsistent display
What is more, sites that are coded to standards enjoy longer web life and are also ‘‘future-proofed’ against browser updates and similar issues. When the code is not validated (W3C validation), the chances of the website going caput with every browser update is grater than when the code is validated.
Some of The Benefits of W3C Validation
- It would not be considered illogical to take into account that standards such as HTML and CSS are a type of globally accepted ‘coding style’. Needless to say, building web pages or apps that are based on widely accepted coding style makes them easier to maintain, no matter whether such maintenance is carried out by others or not.
- While professionals authoring the Web with HTML and CSS have got the technology literally flowing in their veins, students and greenhorns who find it hard to reach results often go for automated checking tools for finding errors. Teachers, as a rule, always emphasize on automated validation tests as sensible intro to broader, more complex quality concepts that include accessibility and such other issues.
Bottom Line
In this fast moving digital world there is very little or no recognition for Web professionals, while only a limited number of universities teach web technology to a still more limited number of students. This no doubt urges web-smiths to learn on their own, leaving much to be read or known. However, experienced professionals will no doubt enjoy creating web content, using semantic and well-formed markup, separation of style, content, etc. Validation, under such circumstances can be used as a check to determine if the code represents the work of an experienced HTML author or a beginner ready to jump into World Wide Web, sans the requisite expertise.