Semantics might not be a daily topic of conversation for most of us, but it’s an instinctive part of being human.
In the context of programming, semantics (or ‘semantic naming’) refers to applying description logic to the digital coding process. It uses a rational, meaning-based naming system for developing a site’s metadata. For example, using <header> to mean a page header, and <body> at the beginning of a page’s body copy.
The advantage?
Users can immediately understand what the metadata they’re reading is referring to. At first glance, you can answer internal questions like, “What effect does running this line of script have?” or “What purpose does this HTML function serve?”
'Semantics' generally refers to the logic and meaning in words, phrases or text. Those meanings can change, dependent on context and application.
Why is semantic naming important?
- It makes it quicker for web editors to find the right place to edit code, improving workforce efficiency
- There’s less time and effort needed for interpretation; more clarity over website content
- It’s helpful for when you have multiple teams based in different locations who might be editing the same content
- Or in situations where a historic page’s metadata is updated by somebody new
But perhaps the most important reason for semantic naming is accessibility.
Some HTML elements have built-in keyboard accessibility. So, for users who aren’t using a mouse-driven cursor, they can tab between sections of your page, and activate their selection via the keyboard. You can use a screen-reader to check these HTML elements are operating as they should be.
Produced by the World Wide Web Consortium, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are gaining importance in today’s accessibility-conscious society.
Increasingly, certain levels of accessibility are required in order for businesses to avoid being penalised: in the UK, for example, public sector digital services must meet WCAG level AA.
So, semantic naming allows you to stay one step ahead of accessibility demands as you scale your website(s) to accommodate as large an audience as possible. Providing an even better user experience.
