I know this question is dumb, but why aren't html and css considered programming languages?

Question

Please, don't make fun of me, I'm a beginner 😓

Answer 1

It was explained far better on Quora than I could have ever done myself. “Programs are sets of instructions that perform specific tasks when executed by a computer. So why aren't these programming languages? HTML and CSS are not generally “executed” by a computer. They are parsed by an engine, and then algorithms stored in a renderer determine execution tasks.”

https://www.quora.com/Is-CSS-or-HTML-a-programming-language

Answer 2

Jax I actually think the 2nd answer (link below) to the Quora link you posted is the best answer. It's consistent with my own points made in other posts here, which, indeed are very unpopular. 😉

https://qr.ae/TStAga

Açucena Ribeiro The problem is people try to force their definition of programming to fit a paradigm known as "imperative programming languages." They further attempt to incorrectly use Turing Complete as a qualifying criteria for a programming language.

That said, HTML and CSS are known as "declarative programming languages," which is another programming paradigm. One is a markup language and the other a stylesheet language, which reflect how their respective Domain Specific Languages (DSL) were implemented.

So... from my perspective, albiet an unpopular one, HTML and CSS are, in fact, programming languages.

Just beware trying to defend or explain this position as people get quite emotional about this statement. 🤣😂

Answer 3

If you're interested in the points and counterpoints discussed so far, check out the link below:

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https://www.sololearn.com/post/141278/
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NOTE: Look for and expand the good discussion started in the comment thread by Lord Krishna. Follow the talking points to other related links I posted in that thread.

Answer 4

a markup language is a system for annotating a document in a way that is syntactically distinguishable from the text. The idea and terminology evolved from the "marking up" of paper manuscripts, which is traditionally written with a red or blue pencil on authors' manuscripts.

Answer 5

Technically with the release of CSS3 Css also became a "programming language". I use the term Programming Language loosely since it is still more a web development language in my opinion.

Answer 6

David Carroll, I belonged to those who believe you're right about this.

I think it comes down to understanding what the asker is *really* asking:

Do they want to know if technically HTML can be considered a programming language (for whatever it's worth)?

Or do they aim to hack NASA and started with HTML and are now wondering if they made the right choice? 😁

Answer 7

Kerberos Why would you use the term "programming language" loosely for anything considered a web development language?

Perhaps you mean, you would use it generically, as it would, more specifically, be a declarative programming language instead of an imperative programming language. 😉

Javascript, on the otherhand, is a full blown, card carrying member of the imperative programming family, which people "feel" is more representative of a "real" programming language. 🤓

Read through the articles and discussion threads in my other post if you get a chance. Perhaps you might switch to the unpopular Dark Side with me and HonFu and share this enlightenment of knowing that programming languages extend beyond the imperative paradigm.