What are the different versions of HTML and how do they differ?

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the standard markup language used for creating web pages and applications. Over the years, several versions of HTML have been released, each introducing new features and improvements. The different versions of HTML are:

1. HTML 1.0: This was the first version of HTML released in 1991. It provided a basic set of tags for structuring web pages, such as headings, paragraphs, and lists. However, it lacked support for images, tables, and forms.

2. HTML 2.0: Released in 1995, HTML 2.0 introduced new features like tables, image support, and form elements. It also included support for linking to other documents and introduced the concept of frames for dividing a web page into multiple sections.

3. HTML 3.2: Released in 1997, HTML 3.2 added more features like support for style sheets, which allowed developers to control the appearance of web pages. It also introduced new form elements and improved support for tables.

4. HTML 4.01: Released in 1999, HTML 4.01 was a major update that introduced stricter syntax rules and improved support for scripting languages like JavaScript. It also added new features like framesets, which allowed for more complex page layouts.

5. XHTML 1.0: XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language) is a reformulation of HTML as an XML application. XHTML 1.0 was released in 2000 and aimed to bring HTML closer to XML standards. It introduced stricter syntax rules and required all tags to be properly closed. XHTML 1.0 was designed to be more compatible with future web technologies.

6. HTML5: HTML5 is the latest version of HTML and was released in 2014. It introduced a wide range of new features and improvements, making it the most powerful and versatile version of HTML to date. Some of the key features of HTML5 include support for multimedia elements like audio and video, canvas for drawing graphics, local storage for offline web applications, and improved semantics for better accessibility and search engine optimization.

HTML5 also introduced new APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling geolocation, drag and drop, web storage, and more. It provided better support for mobile devices and responsive web design. Additionally, HTML5 introduced a more simplified and cleaner syntax, making it easier for developers to write and maintain code.

In summary, the different versions of HTML have evolved over time, adding new features, improving syntax rules, and enhancing compatibility with other web technologies. HTML5 is the most recent and widely adopted version, offering a rich set of features for creating modern and interactive web applications.