When should one use HTML entities?

Encodings and character considerations

Using UTF-8 encoding accommodates nearly every character you might need. But there are specific scenarios when HTML entities are your safest bet:

• When the characters do not translate visually across platforms or are not available on a standard keyboard.
• For clarity in source code, particularly when using punctuation like em dash (—) or fractions like ¾ (¾).

Using HTML entities guarantees backward compatibility and a consistent user experience across clients and servers.

UTF-8 or entity? The case for entities

Despite the overwhelming benefits of UTF-8, there are edge cases where entities are a safer choice:

• Some libraries may offer limited support for UTF-8, causing unusual rendering issues.
• HTML content used within an XML context might need additional validation steps when using UTF-8 characters directly.

Using HTML entities could be a form of defensive programming, ensuring that your application functions as intended, regardless of the character encoding used.

Entities for special cases

HTML entities can be quite advantageous in certain contexts:

• In fields with character limits, you can avoid unreadable text caused by truncated entities. All you need is a spot of careful validation.
• Entities come in handy when you have visually similar characters but with different meanings—like the simple hyphen and minus. They prevent any confusion.

When catering to a global audience, using UTF-8 is categorically advisable. But be prepared to switch to entities if a specific character is consistently problematic.

UTF-8 or entity? The clarity conundrum

Certain scenarios suggest that clarity in your source code is paramount:

• To avoid visual confusion, use − in preference to a simple hyphen when your meaning is crucial.
• Including characters like ampersands directly in the text can cause confusion—with &, you make it clear that you want to display an ampersand.

The case for UTF-8 characters

Direct UTF-8 characters can make your source code more readable and feel more natural to write:

• If you are dealing with scripts in diverse languages such as Chinese or Arabic, UTF-8 can easily handle it.
• When characters are easy to understand and distinguish—for example, currency symbols.

However, remember to test the characters across different environments, especially when delivering content outside of a browser.

UTF-8 and entities: A balancing act

Your choice between UTF-8 and entities could depend on source code readability, searchability, and compatibility:

• Choose entities when special characters are sparse, or when their function is critical.
• Use UTF-8 for its impressive character support when dealing extensively with various languages.

UTF-8 and entities: Avoiding pitfalls

Be wary of the potential issues that you might encounter:

• Encoding mismatches between server, database, and the webpage could result in unexpected outpour.
• Copying and pasting directly from word processors could introduce characters best represented as entities.
• Be mindful of how search engines interpret some entities for SEO considerations.