Ask Me Help Desk - Difference between "htm" and "html"

Difference between "htm" and "html"

Hello,

In all the websites I make, they all come out when loaded onto the server as a "htm" file. But I see others who have "html" files on their sites, what exactly is the difference, if any?

For example: what is the difference between index.htm and index.html and will the nameservers be directed to the correct one if it is only "htm"?

Thanks so much... we're moving to a new server and things are different, so thanks for the help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wzartv

In all the websites I make, they all come out when loaded onto the server as a "htm" file. But I see others who have "html" files on their sites, what exactly is the difference, if any?

There isn't any. They are both the same file type.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wzartv

For example: what is the difference between index.htm and index.html and will the nameservers be directed to the correct one if it is only "htm"?

Most servers have a default file list that they will go through in order to determine what page to show first. For example, if you have a list that reads "index.html, index.htm, default.html..." if there is a index.html it will be shown as the index. If not the server looks for an index.htm, if that isn't found it's onto default.html and so forth. If you have an index.html & an index.htm, the index.html is what is going to be shown on going to that domain. I'm assuming that's what you mean. Nameservers are something different.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wzartv

For example: what is the difference between index.htm and index.html and will the nameservers be directed to the correct one if it is only "htm"?

The l.

Seriously, there is no difference in file type. But when this all started, IBM/Microsoft based servers used the 8.3 naming convention. However, many WEB servers were (and still are) UNIX based which doesn't have that restriction. So HTML was abbreviated to HTM.

Ah, thank-you very much - we managed to get everything all up and running - and yes, we are on Unix servers. If you have a few extra seconds check out our brand new site at www.wzartv.com - Thanks everyone for your help.