5 Things You Need To Keep In Mind About HTML5

by Stephen Wellman (October 14, 2011)

HTML5 represents the fifth major revision of the main language of the Web. Unlike previous versions, HTML5 promises better integration of multimedia and other applications inside the core of most Web pages. While HTML5 adoption started off slowly, growing evangelism from a number of leading vendors in the last six months has spurred adoption by developers everywhere. However, there are some basics everyone should keep in mind about HTML5.

1. Just because it's new doesn't mean it's secure. While Web developers are flocking to build new applications in HTML5, they need to keep security in mind. Web pages and applications built in HTML5 are just as vulnerable as those built in other languages. When building new applications be aware of how you are passing potentially sensitive data around or the vulnerabilities your application structure creates. The Eurpean Union's security agency, the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), has already warned that HTML5 may not be sufficiently secure.

2. HTML5 may eventually kill Flash, but not for a while. While most pundits expect HTML5 to eventually replace multimedia frameworks like Adobe's Flash, this will not happen for a while, if ever. For starters HTML5 isn't set to be finished until 2014. And second, it will take a while for existing Web deployments using systems like Flash to go entirely HTML5. Additionally, HTML5 offers a lot of advantages, but there may be certain types of applications better hosted in more robust frameworks. Finally, some cutting edge companies will go all HTML5 soon, but it will take a while for most to go there. So while you build HTML5 applications, keep all this in mind.

3. HTML5 will be the mobile Web. Sure, everyone is currently building native, stand-alone mobile applications, but HTML5 could throw them all a big curveball. By integrating application functionality directly into the core Web language, HTML5 could potentially bring an end to the need for standalone mobile applications, bringing the mobile browser back into prominence. Rather than having to build standalone apps, HTML5 allows developers to build apps insider browsers, even, potentially, mobile browsers. Keep this in mind as you build out both your desktop and mobile Web strategies.

4. HTML5 promises a seamless Web so build accordingly. While the Web has been a fragmented experience to date -- differing from laptop to smartphone to tablet – HTML5 promises to create a more unified Web. While this future is a ways off, as you build HTML5-based sites, plan for this kind of seamless connectivity. You will need to re-think your online user experience, site navigation, and site structure to accommodate all these different devices and form factors.

5. HTML5 will become the SaaS platform for the enterprise. Noted enterprise solution providers like Microsoft, Salesforce.com, and SAP Sybase are releasing tools for HTML5. If you build applications for the enterprise, most likely you will soon be using HTML5, if you aren't already. So make sure you have a migration plan for your organization's SaaS strategy.