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This question already has an answer here:

I was just curious as to why programmers don't consider Web development as programming.. I know C and C++, Python etc. are tones harder then what I do (HTML etc.) but why do programmers laugh at it?

I'm not looking for harsh comments or insults, just want to clarify my understanding of what seperates the pack :)

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marked as duplicate by gnat, AProgrammer, Snowman, Telastyn, ChrisF♦ Oct 16 '14 at 15:38

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Can you compute something in HTML without using JavaScript? Add two numbers? Sort a list? –  Doval Oct 16 '14 at 15:08
    
...also covered in What would be a good “umbrella” term for HTML, CSS, SQL, JavaScript and the like? and in Is CSS a programming language? etc (side note lack of research effort in this question feels pretty appalling) –  gnat Oct 16 '14 at 15:10

1 Answer 1

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HTML is a markup language - you use tags around text in order to mark it in a specific way.

CSS is a visual style language - you use it to make things look different.

Either of these are not programming languages - they don't have variables, conditional expressions or other flow control that are pretty much required by any programming language.

You cannot write FizzBuzz in HTML. You cannot write it in CSS.

You can in any programming language.

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Thanks for an answer! And the new CSS/HTML5 includes variables now so will there be a change in the future or will it still remain the same? :) –  Trey Taylor Oct 16 '14 at 15:10
    
@TreyTaylor - HTML 5 doesn't. CSS is starting to add things that may make it Turing complete, one day. When that day comes, yes, CSS could be called a programming language (variables are not enough). –  Oded♦ Oct 16 '14 at 15:11
    
Ah ok thanks :) and yeah my bad was kinda just rushing with my typing! Sass etc. (CSS related NOT HTML) –  Trey Taylor Oct 16 '14 at 15:13
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I'm not sure I'd make turing completeness the criteria for being a PL or not. For instance GEB has one exemple of something I'd call a PL without hesitation but where termination is determinable (and thus is not TC). –  AProgrammer Oct 16 '14 at 15:21
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@AProgrammer I agree that Turing completeness isn't the defining criteria for programming, but it's a big hint about it. If your example has some 'termination', then I guess it has some 'execution', so it does seem like a programming language. CSS isn't 'executed', SASS is (and Turing complete too) –  Javier Oct 17 '14 at 14:19

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