HTML 4.01 or XHTML 1.0?

[cusimar9]

I'm trying to start to validate my websites using the W3 website. Thing is, which HTML version do I use? There's about 10 different ones on the W3 website

I've noticed the XHTML 1.0 Strict format is quite restrictive. Why are there so many standards and which ones do I want to adhere to?

[the tree]

There are many standards because the web is constant development. I'd go with HTML 4.01 Strict unless you actually have a reason to be using XHTML.

If you are the process of removing depreciated elements and attributes then you can use HTML 4.01 Transitional on your way to HTML 4.01 Strict.

[kiwibrit]

Of course,[y]our file extension and header s[h]ould reflect the format you are choosing to validate.

[edited for typo corrections]

[drhowarddrfine]

I've noticed the XHTML 1.0 Strict format is quite restrictive.Get used to it. It'sa comin'.

[felgall]

That version is restrictive on what you can do with HTML because you are supposed to use CSS for the other things that the earlier HTML versions supported and so if you do it the right way you don't need the deprecated tags that described how the content is to appear since the stylesheet commands override them anyway.

[Kravvitz]

I recommend HTML 4.01 Strict as well.

Here's some other discussions on this subject:
Should I switch to xhtml? (http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268650)
Use XHTML or HTML 4.01 Doctype? (http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=251158)
What are the purposes of XHTML? (http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230648)
XHTML 1.0 or HTML 4.01 Strict? (http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219815)
Why XHTML? What is the point? (http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223647)
<br> vs. <br /> (http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235486)
xhtml vs html (http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278434)
XHTML vs HTML (http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=288694)

[cusimar9]

Fair enough, thanks for the advice ;)