3-2-3 Special Characters and Symbols
Key Concepts
- Special Characters
- Symbols
- HTML Entities
Special Characters
Special characters are non-alphanumeric characters that have specific meanings in text formatting and programming. Examples include punctuation marks, mathematical symbols, and currency signs. These characters are essential for creating well-structured and informative documents.
Example:
The dollar sign ($) is a special character used to denote currency.
Symbols
Symbols are visual representations that convey specific meanings or concepts. They can include icons, emojis, and other graphical elements. Symbols are often used to enhance communication and make content more engaging.
Example:
The heart symbol (♥) is often used to express love or affection.
HTML Entities
HTML entities are special codes used to represent characters that cannot be easily typed or displayed in HTML. These entities start with an ampersand (&) and end with a semicolon (;). They are essential for displaying reserved characters and special symbols correctly.
Example:
The less-than sign (<) is represented by the entity < in HTML.
Examples and Analogies
Special Characters
Imagine special characters as the punctuation marks in a sentence. Just as commas and periods help structure a sentence, special characters help structure your document. For instance, the ampersand (&) is used to combine words, like "AT&T."
Symbols
Think of symbols as the icons on a smartphone. Each icon represents a different app or function, making it easier to navigate. Similarly, symbols in text can represent complex ideas or emotions, like the smiley face (😊) for happiness.
HTML Entities
Consider HTML entities as special keys on a keyboard that unlock hidden characters. Just as you might use a special key to type a copyright symbol (©), HTML entities allow you to display characters that are otherwise difficult to type, like the non-breaking space ( ).
By understanding and using special characters, symbols, and HTML entities effectively, you can enhance the clarity and richness of your documents.