Markup Languages
Published on Mar 28, 2025, filed under development (feed). (Share this on Mastodon or Bluesky?)
You know the big MLs (markup languages): the mother of all markup languages, SGML, its famous offspring, HTML, the visionary cousin, XML, and the strict chatty grandchild, XHTML. That is, these:
But—and this takes a different path than Wikipedia on markup languages—did you also know the following “small” markup languages, that is, those calling themselves or being called “markup language,” those that have had some or almost some impact on the Web? (You’ll know at least one, part of the current HTML spec.)
This excludes languages like XAML or DDML, because they are XML-based languages that weren’t designed to show content on the Web. But, if you would question or add a language, please let me know!
* Yes, not a language per se but just a term for languages already available at the time—and yet DHTML feels like it must be included in such an overview.
About Me
I’m Jens (long: Jens Oliver Meiert), and I’m a web developer, manager, and author. I’ve been working as a technical lead and engineering manager for small and large enterprises, I’m an occasional contributor to web standards (like HTML, CSS, WCAG), and I write and review books for O’Reilly and Frontend Dogma.
I love trying things, not only in web development and engineering management, but also in other areas like philosophy. Here on meiert.com I share some of my experiences and views. (I value you being critical, interpreting charitably, and giving feedback.)
