DOCTYPE Declaration

[Harry]

What is the correct HTML level to include in a DOCTYPE
Declaration for a document developed with front page 2000?

 

[Duncan]

According to the article below, Frontpage 2000 doesn't
support the doctype tag. I don't use doctype tags when I
use Frontpage (not too often, I'm trying to do stuff
myself) but I suggest you try inserting one and then
trying to validate with the W3C validator and see what
happens. I'd try starting with the HTML 4.01
transitional, I haven't seen a wysiwyg editor yet that
can do xhtml (except maybe Amaya). If you want the first
link is the list of acceptable doctypes, I imagine HTML
3.2 or 4.01 transitional are your best bets. Note that if
you define a doctype, you should validate the page at W3C
(pointless adding one if your page doesn't comply to the
standards).

http://www.w3.org/QA/2002/04/valid-dtd-list.html

http://www.webhelpinghand.com/frontpage2000_things_to_be_a
ware_of.htm

 

[Steve Easton]

Be aware that using the wrong doctype declaration will cause more problems
than not having one at all, because the doctype declaration also determines
how a browser interprets the html and renders a page. Pages without
doctypes are rendered by a browser in a "default" mode.

Also, just because you declare a doctype does not necessarily mean your
pages will validate with W3C. For example, colored scroll bars work in IE
5.5 and 6, but will never validate with W3C.

I have yet to use doctypes, but then I don't validate with W3C either.

W3C is not a "governing" organization, they just make recommendations for
the purpose of trying to ensure "cross platform compatibility."

--
Steve Easton
Microsoft MVP FrontPage
95isalive
This site is best viewed............
........................with a computer

 

[Jon]

Be aware that using the wrong doctype declaration will cause more

problems than not having one at all, because the doctype declaration
also determines how a browser interprets the html and renders a page.

Could you give an example? I would take it to mean standards vs quirks and
probably most importantly the MS vs "standards" box model. Standards/quirks
depends on a full doctype (ie with a url) a doctype like this

Also, just because you declare a doctype does not necessarily mean
your pages will validate with W3C.

a doctype has nothing to with validating a page with the w3c - validation
depends on your code being right or not

Jon
Microsoft MVP - FP