HTML as Model

So I had a random thought the other day….

What if we think about the Web this way:

  • XTHML = Model
  • CSS = View
  • {Java/EMCA/DOM}scripting = controller

Of course, design purists (and even not-so-purists) will argue with this analogy and I admit that its not a perfect analogy, but the XHTML=Model part might be a useful way to think of things. Let me explain….

The other day, several of us were discussing the ironicly incompatible trends that are occuring on the web recently- AJAX and HTML-as-API/Microformats. Both these technologies are very cool, but, unfortunately, AJAX-style web development tends to make consuming Microformats more difficult (though not impossible).

As a compromise between these two movements, thinking of the XHTML as a Model could be useful. Think of the XHTML as just data which can then be viewed and dispalyed with CSS + DOMscripting or consumed by agents that are looking for structured data.

Just an idea that’d I’d like to cast into the blogosphere for discussion. Whatcha think?

3 Responses to “HTML as Model”

  1. Tantek Says:

    I think this makes a lot of sense. In fact, see:

    http://tantek.com/log/2004/09.html#d12t2359

    for some thoughts on the matter. Interesting that we both drew the same analogy.

    I do think you made an additional good point about now with AJAX, XCJ/MVC considerations are perhaps more important than ever.

    Tantek

  2. ryan Says:

    Tantek-
    It is ironic that we both had the same analogy. You post probably influenced me somehow, though not conciously.

    People doing stuff with AJAX probably should pay attention to how easy it is for people to consume their material without a browser, esp. if they’re trying to create semantic XHTML.

  3. the ryan king » Blog Archive » XHTML is just data Says:

    […] 17;Brien’s Future

    XHTML is just data

    The other day, I asked: 83ee745cbbecdf541f47f08f5e78caeb Tantek responded with: bff4a9b2a […]