What is the difference between an opening tag and a void tag?

In HTML, tags are fundamental building blocks used to structure content. They come in different forms, primarily categorized as opening tags and void tags. Understanding the distinction between these is crucial for writing valid and well-structured HTML.

Opening Tags:

An opening tag, also known as a start tag, marks the beginning of an HTML element. It typically consists of the element's name enclosed in angle brackets, like <p> for a paragraph or <div> for a division. Opening tags often require a corresponding closing tag to define the scope of the element.

Example:

<p>This is a paragraph.</p>

In this example, <p> is the opening tag, and </p> is the closing tag. The content "This is a paragraph." is enclosed within these tags.

Void Tags:

Void tags, also known as self-closing tags or empty tags, are HTML elements that do not require a closing tag. They represent elements that do not contain any content. These tags are typically used for elements that perform a specific action or insert a resource, such as an image or a line break.

Example:

<img src="image.jpg" alt="Description">

In this example, <img> is a void tag. It does not have a closing tag. Instead, it includes attributes like src (source) and alt (alternative text) to define the image's properties.

Key Differences Summarized:

1. Closing Tag: Opening tags require a closing tag (e.g., <p>...</p>), while void tags do not (e.g., <img>).

2. Content: Opening tags enclose content, whereas void tags do not contain any content.

3. Purpose: Opening tags define the structure and content of elements, while void tags typically insert resources or perform specific actions.

Common Void Tags:

Some common void tags include:

<img> (image)

<br> (line break)

<hr> (horizontal rule)

<input> (input field)

<link> (external resource link)

<meta> (metadata)

Understanding the difference between opening and void tags is essential for writing correct HTML. Using the appropriate tag type ensures that your web pages are well-formed and render correctly in browsers.

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