Is There a Future for HTML 6?

As of August 2023, there is no official HTML 6 specification in development. The current version of HTML, HTML5, has been continuously updated with new features and improvements through a process that focuses on incremental enhancements rather than major version changes. This approach allows for a more agile development process, ensuring that the web technology can adapt quickly to the evolving needs of developers and the web ecosystem.

HTML5: The Current Standard

The WHATWG (Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group), which created the HTML5 standard, envisioned it as a living standard with no more branded versions. This is evident in the DOCTYPE definition for HTML5, which does not include a '5':

!DOCTYPE html

On the other hand, the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) treats HTML5 as part of its other standards, branding it as such:

HTML5

The W3C has a dedicated page for what they call HTML/next to discuss potential future standards:

HTML/next - W3C Wiki

In summary, both the W3C and the WHATWG will continue evolving the standard. The naming at any particular moment will more be a press and marketing decision and not a feature intrinsic to the standard itself.

The Road to HTML6

While there is no official HTML 6 in the pipeline, the idea of HTML6 is being discussed internally. A look into HTML6 reveals the vision of introducing namespaces, a concept similar to XML, among other new features. The WHATWG has been discussing the future of HTML on their website and through various discussions on their mailing lists.

Exploring New Possibilities

Despite the current lack of an official HTML 6, the potential for HTML6 is intriguing. The focus is likely to be on enhancing the capabilities and functionality of web development. One major idea is to introduce namespaces, similar to those in XML, which can help manage different types of data more effectively. This concept, while not final, shows the commitment to pushing the boundaries of web technology.

Conclusion

The future of web standards is always evolving, and the vision for HTML6 represents a forward-thinking approach. While no concrete specifications have been released, the discussion around potential features and improvements showcases the ongoing commitment to making the web more powerful and versatile.