Thanks for a well-thought-out article that challenges popular belief. The internet can argue endlessly on the semantics of the term “programming language”, but even if you were to objectively prove that the wikipedia definition is technically inclusive to HTML, the vast majority will still have a preconceived notion of the term. In this way, truth and reality are not on the same page.

If we put “programming language” aside for a second, and think about the purpose of this language, we get a more meaningful comparison between it and others.

HTML is primarily a language that is optimized for formatting and displaying text, and later on, multimedia. On its own, it’s really not good at anything else.

Now take a language like C: outside of printf, it isn’t super great at displaying (without graphical frameworks on top of it like GTK+ or Win32/GDK), but it can do that, and more. With C, you can author systems, drivers, servers and client applications.

Higher level languages may not be so great for systems and drivers (while still possible), but similarly to C, you can build graphical frameworks and applications and all kinds of plugins. Javascript falls under this category as well.

Without Javascript, a single HTML file displays information, and its capabilities ends there. With hyperlinks and page hierarchy, you could use that information to tell a story or solve user problems. You could call that a form of computer programming, not unlike “programming” the channels on your smart TV, or the presets on your car radio, if we want to stretch the definition even further.

Let’s talk about professional workplace. In the corporate world (which is a sometimes sad but factual version of the real world), it’s not likely, nor a good idea, that you’d hire someone for a traditional “programming” role if they only had HTML experience (without any Javascript). Not when there are other candidates who have experience with other programming languages.

Conversely, it’s not unheard of to hire programmer for a C# (or Java) role, if they’ve only previously had C++ jobs - I’ve recommended this type of hire before and it worked out great. Or a C++ job for a Swift developer. I’ve even written a programming assignment in Ruby for a senior C# programming role and landed the job. I did have a decade of professional C# experience at the time, but didn’t have to prove it. Why?

All “programming languages” have key foundational concepts in common, that HTML completely lacks. Syntax aside, knowledge is transferable between programming languages without the need to re-train on the basics.

For the working professional, putting this language in the same category of others would lower the cognitive capacity required to perform a programmer’s job. And as bad as egos are, it’s hard to separate a programmer’s self-worth from his/her ability to solve complex problems. Therefore, saying “HTML is a programming language” could be making light of a programmer’s job.

I’m not saying that my response proves you wrong; just that I share the common opinion that the prejudices/preconceptions are valid.