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HTML <code> Tag

The HTML <code> tag is used to define a single line of code or inline programming-related text. It is commonly used for displaying code snippets, programming examples, or technical text in a web page while maintaining semantic meaning and proper accessibility.

Syntax

<code>code here</code>

Purpose

The <code> tag is intended for:

  1. Displaying short code snippets inline with regular text.
  2. Marking code examples to give them semantic context.
  3. Improving accessibility by letting assistive technologies understand that the text represents code.

Example 1: Inline Code

The <code> tag can be used to represent a small section of inline code.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <title>HTML Code Example</title>
</head>
<body>
  <p>To create a link, use the <code>&lt;a&gt;</code> tag in your HTML document.</p>
</body>
</html>

Output:
The word <a> will be styled like a code snippet in the browser.

Example 2: Code Block with <pre>

When displaying multi-line code, it's common to pair the <code> tag with the <pre> tag. The <pre> tag preserves whitespace and formatting, making it ideal for displaying blocks of preformatted text/code.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <title>HTML Preformatted Code</title>
</head>
<body>
  <h3>Example of Preformatted Text with Code</h3>
  <pre><code>
function sayHello() {
  console.log("Hello, World!");
}
sayHello();
  </code></pre>
</body>
</html>

Explanation:

  • The <pre> tag preserves the indentation and formatting.
  • The <code> tag provides semantic meaning, marking the content as a code block.

Example 3: Styling <code> with CSS

You can use CSS to style the <code> element for better appearance in technical documentation or code examples.

CSS Example

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <title>Styled Code Example</title>
  <style>
    code {
      background-color: #f4f4f4;
      padding: 2px 4px;
      border: 1px solid #ddd;
      font-family: monospace;
      color: #333;
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <p>Here is an example of styled inline code: <code>console.log('Hello');</code></p>
</body>
</html>

Common Use Cases

  1. Documentation: Displaying examples of programming syntax or code snippets in technical documentation.
  2. Code Sharing Platforms: Used in websites like blogs, tutorials, and forums.
  3. Educational Content: Highlighting programming examples for learning purposes.
  4. Technical Instructions: Example command-line commands or technical examples.

 

Summary

The <code> tag in HTML is a semantic element used to represent inline programming-related text or code snippets. It is often paired with the <pre> tag when displaying multi-line code examples. You can style it using CSS to make it visually appealing.

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