HTML contains several elements for defining user input and computer code.
Example
<code>
x = 5;
y = 6;
z = x + y;
</code>
HTML For Keyboard Input
The HTML <kbd> element is used to define keyboard input. The content inside is displayed in the browser's default monospace font.
Example
<p>Save the document by pressing <kbd>Ctrl + S</kbd></p>
HTML For Program Output
The HTML <samp> element is used to define sample output from a computer program. The content inside is displayed in the browser's default monospace font.
Example
<p>Message from my computer:</p>
<p><samp>File not found.<br>Press F1 to
continue</samp></p>
HTML For Computer Code
The HTML <code> element is used to define a piece of computer code. The content inside is displayed in the browser's default monospace font.
Example
<code>
x = 5;
y = 6;
z = x + y;
</code>
Preserve Line-Breaks
Notice that the <code> element does NOT preserve extra whitespace and line-breaks.
To preserve extra whitespace and line-breaks, you can put the <code> element inside a <pre> element:
Example
<pre>
<code>
x = 5;
y = 6;
z = x + y;
</code>
</pre>
HTML For Variables
The HTML <var> element is used to define a variable in programming or in a mathematical expression. The content inside is typically displayed in italic.
Example
<p>The area of a triangle is: 1/2 x <var>b</var> x <var>h</var>, where <var>b</var>
is the base, and <var>h</var> is the vertical height.</p>
Chapter Summary
- The
<kbd>element defines keyboard input - The
<samp>element defines sample output from a computer program - The
<code>element defines a piece of computer code - The
<var>element defines a variable in programming or in a mathematical expression - The
<pre>element defines preformatted text
HTML Computer Code Elements
| Tag | Description |
|---|---|
|
Defines programming code |
| Defines keyboard input | |
| Defines computer output | |
| Defines a variable | |
| Defines preformatted text |
Note: For a complete list of all available HTML tags, visit our HTML Tag Reference.