The Document Object Model Dissected

Developing successful web pages these days involves more than simply pumping out HTML tags. Ever-evolving towards a true development environment, complex web pages now grow out of a coalition of technologies, including Cascading Style Sheets, JavaScript (both loosely referred to as "Dynamic HTML"), and just around the corner -- XML. Consequently, web pages are complex organisms, far more advanced than their protozoan ancestors. Working with such an organism requires a thorough insight into its anatomy, and that is the basis and purpose for the Document Object Model. In this discussion we'll look closely at the "DOM," as it is known -- what it is, how you use it, and where it might be leading us. The DOM is a Web programmer's ally, but as such, we must assume some Web programming experience. This article is not a tutorial on JavaScript syntax or Dynamic HTML; however, if you have developed any of the above, you will certainly be interested in understanding the DOM, even if you haven't heard of it until now.

Contents:

• Gray's Anatomy
• Master of your DOM
• Use the DOM, Luke
• Netscape: The DOM
• Microsoft: DOM, the Sequel
• DOM of the Future
• Additional Resources

Gray's Anatomy