HTML File or HTML Document?

[djm]

Hey guys

This may sound like a stupid question but is there actually a difference between an HTML File and an HTML Document?

The reason I ask is when I create my webpages in Dreamweaver, I always save the file as something like:

filename.html (I always add the html extension myself)

This creates an HTML File

However if I save it as just filename, Dreamweaver adds the HTM extension itself thus creating an HTML Document

What are the differences? As I always assumed they were the same...

DJM

[IanMarlowe]

html document--the actual document (when opened)
html file--the saved document. What the computer stores in it's memory

[Twey]

It's exactly the same thing. I usually use HTM, because it's compatible with older versions of DOS where filenames HAD to be 8.3. The only difference is in the label Windows attaches to it.

[djm]

Thanks for the quick reply guys

I see...

So will I need to re-save all my website files to HTM or would it still be ok to upload the website using my current HTML files?

Cheers

DJM

[IanMarlowe]

it doesn't matter, but apparently, as Twey said, htm works better with some older versions of DOS...

[djm]

Cool thanks for the info guys

djm

[Twey]

In other words, if you're not going to be using old versions of DOS, don't worry about it

[mwinter]

It's exactly the same thing. I usually use HTM, because it's compatible with older versions of DOS where filenames HAD to be 8.3. The only difference is in the label Windows attaches to it.

As only your machine (during authoring) and the server care about the filename, the extension doesn't really matter. Use html.

A URL doesn't have to match typical filesystem patterns. A browser that assumes otherwise in its cache is broken.

Mike

[jscheuer1]

You people are all missing the real point here. The .htm extension saves time and is a real productivity booster. It was in large part responsible for the last economic boom during the Clinton years.

Seriously though, there is no difference unless you, or someone you will give the file to, work on an old Windows or DOS system. Then you need to use .htm only.

But that's just the extension we are talking about. The difference between a file and a document is abstract. Generally, the file is the bytes on the disk, in memory or in transit over the internet. The document being the code and content written in that file. However, they are really one and the same when you get right down to it.

[Twey]

As only your machine (during authoring) and the server care about the filename, the extension doesn't really matter. Use html.

A URL doesn't have to match typical filesystem patterns. A browser that assumes otherwise in its cache is broken.

I know. I wasn't talking about (shudder) running a webserver on DOS 2.0 or anything. It's just a habit.