We explain what is hypertext in computing and what is its importance on the Internet. Characteristics and uses of hypertext.
What is a hypertext?
The hypertext in computing is a tool for creating, linking and distributing information from various sources, which operates on the basis of a structure not sequential but associative, that is, not linear, direct, but leads from one thing to another, very much in the manner of the human thinking.
This is done through associative links called hyperlinks or cross references, which lead from a main document to other secondary ones in which it is possible to retrieve supplementary or complementary information. This dynamic is called link or link (from English), and it is fundamental in the use of Internet.
Hypertext, despite its name, is not limited to written or textual information, but can link to images, sounds, audiovisual documents, websites whole or any other form of digital action (send an e-mail, download a file, etc.). The coexistence of this type of formats is often called hypermedia.
Hypertext documents should be opened and read with a browser or browser (also "viewer" or "client"), which is a software computer designed for it, and the action of jumping from one hypertext to others available on the Web is called navigate in Internet.
Characteristics of a hypertext
Hypertexts are characterized by being:
- Multimedia. As we already said, they are not limited to text written, but can link to images, sounds, videos, etc.
- Digital Hypertext is typical of dynamic digital and cybernetic, it is untranslatable to paper or other media, although the memory Human seems to work in a similar way.
- Connectives. All hypertext leads to some part of the Web, except in cases where said link has been broken (missing files, pages no longer available, etc.).
- Interactive Hypertexts require the action of Username (usually in operating systems What Windows, of a click mouse or mouse) to operate, they do not fire automatically.
- Reusable. The same hypertext can be used infinitely many times.
- Extensible. Hypertext allows you to prolong the experience of reading with other documents and extend the scope of information available to the user.
- Transitory. Since hypertexts are basically links, their validity will depend on whether the destination they lead to is available. Hyperlinks whose destination is not available are known as "down" or "broken."
Uses of hypertext
Broadly speaking, hypertext serves to:
- Provide reference material to readers. As secondary documents, added information, clarifying a concept, etc. This information can be both general and specific.
- Fragment the reading material. Allowing you to get to the point of the information requested by the user but leaving the door open so that, if you wish, you can access more relevant information or the rest of the document that you began to read (previews).