The HTML Pocket Guide

Many people who work with websites might not be professional web designers or site builders, but might still use HTML.

Even in the days of content management systems it can still be useful to know a bit of HTML so it's good to have a pocket guide to hand. 

The HTML Pocket Guide is small but comprehensive and even includes plenty of information on HTML5, the upcoming new version of the standard language for creating web pages.

The book includes a short guide to how HTML works, which covers important topics such as keeping the HTML code separate from the CSS formatting code, and Javascript scripting. It's not an exhaustive guide but it's a good starter with plenty of links for learning more online.

The second, lengthier, section is the main reference area. It lists all of the allowed HTML tags along with all the different options that can be used alongside them.

There are notes for commands that are obsolete or deprecated. This distinction is quite important. Deprecated commands are old ones that are on their way out but may still be used, while obsolete ones may not be used at all.

Deprecated commands have been made so for a reason so it's good to find an alternative. This is most common in commands relating to formatting, which is now best done using CSS. 

As this is a reference book the tags are listed in alphabetical order. That's great for finding tags in a hurry but means that it's not so much use if you are learning HTML, when a topical sorting is handier.

Finally there is a section dedicated to HTML5 and the new features that it offers. Widespread support for HTML5 is still some time away but it is good to be prepared.