The <code> HTML element is used to represent a fragment of computer code within a document. It is a semantic element that indicates to both browsers and developers that the enclosed text is code, which is typically displayed in a monospaced font to distinguish it from regular text. The <code> tag is commonly used for inline code snippets, variable names, function names, or any other text that represents code in programming languages.
While the <code> element is primarily used for inline code, it can be combined with other elements like <pre> for larger blocks of code that require preservation of whitespace and line breaks. Additionally, the <kbd> element can be used alongside <code> to denote user input. Here is an example of how the <code> tag can be used:
<p>To print a message in Python, use the <code>print()</code> function.</p>Valid Attributes for <code>
The <code> element does not have any specific attributes of its own but supports all global attributes. These include:
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| class | Specifies one or more class names for the element, used for CSS styling. |
| id | Defines a unique identifier for the element, useful for JavaScript and CSS. |
| style | Contains inline CSS styles for the element. |
| title | Provides additional information about the element, often displayed as a tooltip. |
In summary, the <code> element is an essential tool for marking up code snippets in HTML documents, providing semantic meaning and visual distinction for code. It is particularly useful in technical documentation, tutorials, and articles where code examples are presented. By using the <code> tag, developers can ensure that their code is displayed clearly and accessibly.