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- The <script> tag is used to embed an executable script (JavaScript).
- The <script> element either holds inline scripting statements, or it fetch an outside script file through the src attribute.
- Image manipulation, form validation, and dynamic changes of content are made by JavaScript.
- <script> tag belongs to Metadata content, Flow content and Phrasing content.
Syntax for <script> tag:
<script>content</script>Differences between HTML 4.0.1 and HTML 5 for <script> tag in HTML:
HTML 4.0.1
- The "type" attribute is required.
- The "async" attribute not supported.
- "xml:space" is supported.
HTML 5
- The "type" attribute is optional.
- The "async" attribute is new to HTML5.
- "xml:space" is not supported.
Sample Coding for <script> tag:
Tryit<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Wikitechy HTML script Tag</title>
</head>
<body>
<p id="para"></p>
<script>
document.getElementById("para").innerHTML = "Hello Wikitechy!";
</script>
</body>
</html>Code Explanation for <script> tag:
- <p> tag id value has been defined as “para”.
- <script> tag is used to embed the executable script.
- The text Hello Wikitechy! will be included inside <p> tag which has the id as para.
Output for <script> tag:
- The text “Hello Wikitechy!” has been included inside <p> tag by using <script> tag.
Attributes of <script> tag:
| Attribute | Value | HTML4 | HTML5 | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| async | async | No | Yes | Defines that the script is executed only for external scripts. |
| charset | charset | Yes | Yes | Defines the character encoding used in an external script file. |
| defer | defer | Yes | Yes | Defines that the script is executed though the page has been finished parsing. |
| src | URL | Yes | Yes | Defines the URL of an external script file. |
| type | media_type | Yes | Yes | Defines the media type of the script. |
| xml:space | preserve | Yes | No | Defines whether whitespace in code have been preserved. |
Browser Support for <script> tag in HTML:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Tips and Notes
- If the "src" attribute is present, the <script> element must be empty.
- There are many ways an external script should be executed:
- async="async": The script can be executed while the page continues the parsing.
- defer="defer": The script is executed when the page has finished parsing.
- If neither async or defer is present: The script is fetched and executed immediately, before the browser continues parsing the page.