HTML Computer Code Elements
Computer Code Element
<code>
var x = 5;
var y = 6;
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = x + y;
</code>
HTML Computer Code Formatting
HTML normally uses variable letter size and spacing.
This is not wanted when displaying examples of computer code.
The <kbd>, <samp>, and <code> elements all support fixed letter size and spacing.
HTML <kbd> For Keyboard Input
The HTML <kbd> element defines keyboard input:
HTML <samp> For Computer Output
The HTML <samp> element defines sample output from a computer program:
Example
<samp>
demo.example.com login: Apr 12 09:10:17
Linux
2.6.10-grsec+gg3+e+fhs6b+nfs+gr0501+++p3+c4a+gr2b-reslog-v6.189
</samp>
Result:
demo.example.com login: Apr 12 09:10:17
Linux 2.6.10-grsec+gg3+e+fhs6b+nfs+gr0501+++p3+c4a+gr2b-reslog-v6.189
Try it Yourself »
HTML <code> For Computer Code
The HTML <code> element defines a piece of programming code:
Example
<code>
var x = 5;
var y = 6;
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = x + y;
</code>
Result:
var x = 5;
var y = 6;
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = x + y;
Try it Yourself »
Notice that the <code> element does not preserve extra whitespace and line-breaks.
To fix this, you can put the <code> element inside a <pre> element:
Example
<pre>
<code>
var x =
5;
var y = 6;
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = x + y;
</code>
</pre>
Result:
var x = 5;
var y = 6;
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = x + y;
Try it Yourself »
HTML <var> For Variables
The HTML <var> element defines a variable.
The variable could be a variable in a mathematical expression or a variable in programming context:
Example
Einstein wrote: <var>E</var> = <var>m</var><var>c</var><sup>2</sup>.
Result:
Einstein wrote: E = mc2.
Try it Yourself »
Test Yourself with Exercises!
Exercise 1 » Exercise 2 » Exercise 3 »
HTML Computer Code Elements
| Tag | Description |
|---|---|
| <code> | Defines programming code |
| <kbd> | Defines keyboard input |
| <samp> | Defines computer output |
| <var> | Defines a variable |
| <pre> | Defines preformatted text |
