When Should You Use CDATA Sections in HTML Script Tags?

When Should CDATA Sections Be Used in Script Tags?

In the realm of web development, it's often a matter of debate as to whether CDATA (Character Data) sections are necessary when incorporating script tags in HTML documents. This article delves into the specific scenarios where CDATA sections become indispensable.

CDATA Sections and XML

A CDATA section is primarily used to ensure the proper parsing of special characters within a script tag when the document is intended to conform to XML standards. For instance, consider an XHTML document where you want to embed a JavaScript block. By default, XHTML interprets the script code as character data, which can cause issues with characters like '<' (less than) and '&' (ampersand).

When CDATA Sections Are Required

The use of a CDATA section becomes necessary when you need to:

• Preserve literal strings containing specific characters ('<', '&', etc.) in your JavaScript code.
• Ensure that your script code is not accidentally interpreted as parsed character data by the XML parser.

Example Syntax

To incorporate a CDATA section within a script tag, utilize the following syntax:

When CDATA Sections Are Preferable
As a general rule, it's preferable to use a CDATA section in inline JavaScript within XHTML documents. This ensures that any potential conflicts with XML parsing are avoided, especially when the document's primary purpose is not to be interpreted as XML.
Additional Considerations

External JavaScript files do not require CDATA sections.
Proper handling of special characters in script tags remains essential, even with CDATA sections.
For further insights on this topic, refer to reputable resources such as https://web.archive.org/web/20140304083226/http://javascript.about.com/library/blxhtml.htm.
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