Chapter 1 ■ a Somewhat SenSationalized hiStory of html5
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WHATWG and W3C Diversions
In September 2012 the W3C introduced its own team of editors, deposing Hixie as the king supreme of HTML5,
at least in theory. The W3C explained the decision as one made at Hickson’s request in a blog post in April 2012
(http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html/2012Apr/0204.html):
We have reached a point in the HTML WG where the W3C process and community expects to
finalize the HTML 5 Recommendation-track specifications. For the last several years, Ian Hickson
has been the editor of the HTML 5 spec. At the same time, we all recognize that work will begin
on ‘what will come after HTML 5’. As Ian is already working on proposals for this work, he has
asked the chairs if someone else could volunteer to take the HTML 5 spec to REC. Today, we are
announcing the following changes:
* W3C is starting a search for editors to begin the REC level work on HTML5 and HTML Canvas 2D
Context. We anticipate this search will take 30 days.
* Anyone is welcome to contribute proposals that could be used as input for future products of the
HTML WG, either based on the work of Community Groups, or based on proposal drafts created in
an HTML WG Task Force or the HTML WG itself.
* Ian will continue editing the WHATWG HTML specification, which we anticipate will be one such
proposal.
* Editors of Recommendation-Level specifications and authors of HTML.next proposals are
encouraged to work together to avoid introducing contradictions, but are free to make their own
changes directly.
* W3C has started the process of extending the W3C HTML WG charter to jump start the work on
HTML.Next in parallel to completing the current Recommendation track work. Once the HTML
WG is re-chartered then the W3C will review proposals for HTML.Next work, and seek additional
editors or co-editors for HTML.Next work.
* As W3C proceeds with its work on follow-ons to HTML 5, W3C and the WHATWG plan to continue
their partnership in developing the right features for the future web.
In July, the W3C’s new editorial team was announced, and now in 2013 it’s been expanded (with Ian Hickson still
listed as a participating editor).
So, by the W3C’s explanation, HTML5 needs to be standardized and set in stone. WHATWG is working on a living
standard that will never be finished, so the W3C needed to break away, take a snap shot, and lock down HTML5.
HTML development will continue as “HTML.next” (referred to as HTML5.1 by late 2013) and continue drawing
inspiration and ideas from the WHATWG specification.
In September 2013 the W3C gave itself a new charter for the HTML5 spec that lasts through July 2015, specifying
its license for distributing the HTML5 spec and redeclaring its intention to publish a formal and finished HTML5.0
specification in 2014 (www.w3.org/blog/news/archives/3253). None of this is mirrored by the WHATWG, though
Hickson’s involvement in both is intended to keep the two groups from diverging too far.
In the year since the W3C and WHATWG diverged, little has changed in the W3C spec. The W3C has focused on
breaking the single, large HTML5 spec proposed by the WHATWG into several smaller specs. Isolated differences have
emerged, but both the W3C and WHATWG, groups that are publishing specifications about how HTML5 should work,
frequently affirm that nothing matters until the browsers implement a feature. Let me say that again: in 2013, the W3C