# HTML Computer Code Elements

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## Computer Code

var person = {
firstName:"John",
lastName:"Doe",
age:50,
eyeColor:"blue"
}

## HTML Computer Code Formatting

Normally, HTML uses variable letter size, and variable letter spacing.

This is not wanted when displaying examples of computer code.

The <kbd>, <samp>, and <code> elements all support fixed letter size and spacing.

## HTML Keyboard Formatting

The HTML <kbd> element defines keyboard input:

## Example

<p>To open a file, select:</p>
<p><kbd>File | Open...</kbd></p>
Try it Yourself »

## HTML Sample Formatting

The HTML <samp> element defines a computer output sample:

## Example

<samp>
demo.example.com login: Apr 12 09:10:17
Linux 2.6.10-grsec+gg3+e+fhs6b+nfs+gr0501+++p3+c4a+gr2b-reslog-v6.189
</samp>
Try it Yourself »

## HTML Code Formatting

The HTML <code> element defines programming code sample:

## Example

<code>
var person = { firstName:"John", lastName:"Doe", age:50, eyeColor:"blue" }
</code>
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The <code> element does not preserve extra whitespace and line-breaks:

## Example

<p>Coding Example:</p>
<code>
var person = {
firstName:"John",
lastName:"Doe",
age:50,
eyeColor:"blue"
}
</code>
Try it Yourself »

To fix this, you must wrap the code in a <pre> element:

## Example

<p>Coding Example:</p>
<code>
<pre>
var person = {
firstName:"John",
lastName:"Doe",
age:50,
eyeColor:"blue"
}
</pre>
</code>
Try it Yourself »

## HTML Variable Formatting

The HTML <var> element defines a mathematical variable:

## Example

<p>Einstein wrote:</p>
<p><var>E = m c<sup>2</sup></var></p>
Try it Yourself »

## HTML Computer Code Elements

Tag | Description
--- | ---
<code> | Defines computer code text
<kbd> | Defines keyboard text
<samp> | Defines sample computer code
<var> | Defines a variable
<pre> | Defines preformatted text

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