Link Type Definitions


home

[HTML3.0(draft):LINK]

REL=Home
   The link references a home page or the top of some hierarchy.

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

HOME
    RESERVED.  Defined by the user (for example, using an
    environment variable or preference, e.g. WWW_HOME).
    This relationship may not be overridden; HTML user agents
    should ignore any author-supplied REL=HOME setting.

start

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Start
   Refers to the first document in a collection of documents.
   This link type tells search engines which document is
   considered by the author to be the starting point of the
   collection.

begin

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

BEGIN or FIRST
   The BEGIN relationship identifies the author- defined start of
   a sequence of documents of which the current document is a
   node. TOP is a functional equivalent to BEGIN when only one of
   these values is specified.

   When REL=BEGIN, the target document is the beginning of the
   sequence.  When REV=BEGIN, the current document is the
   beginning of the sequence.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present an icon in a tool bar.

first

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

BEGIN or FIRST
   The BEGIN relationship identifies the author- defined start of
   a sequence of documents of which the current document is a
   node. TOP is a functional equivalent to BEGIN when only one of
   these values is specified.

   When REL=BEGIN, the target document is the beginning of the
   sequence.  When REV=BEGIN, the current document is the
   beginning of the sequence.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present an icon in a tool bar.

end

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

END or LAST
   The END relationship identifies the author defined end of a
   sequence of documents of which the current document is a node.
   TOP is a functional equivalent to END when only one is
   specified.

   When REL=END, the target document is the end of the sequence.
   When REV=END, the current document is the end of the sequence.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present an icon in a tool bar.

last

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

END or LAST
   The END relationship identifies the author defined end of a
   sequence of documents of which the current document is a node.
   TOP is a functional equivalent to END when only one is
   specified.

   When REL=END, the target document is the end of the sequence.
   When REV=END, the current document is the end of the sequence.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present an icon in a tool bar.

next

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Next
   Refers to the next document in a linear sequence of documents.
   User agents may choose to preload the "next" document, to
   reduce the perceived load time.

[HTML3.2(spec):LINK]

rel=next
   The link references the next document to visit in a guided
   tour. It can be used, for example, to preload the next page.

[HTML3.0(draft):LINK]

REL=Next
   The link references the next document to visit in a guided
   tour.

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

NEXT
   The NEXT relationship identifies the next document in an
   author-defined sequence of documents, such as a linear book.

   When REL=NEXT, the target document is next after the current
   document.  When REV=NEXT, the current document is next after
   the target.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present an icon in a tool bar.

prev

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Prev
   Refers to the previous document in an ordered series of
   documents. Some user agents also support the synonym
   "Previous".

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

PREVIOUS or PREV
   The PREVIOUS relationship identifies the previous document in
   an author-defined sequence of documents, such as a linear
   book.

   When REL=PREVIOUS, the target document is previous to the
   current document.

   When REV=PREVIOUS, the current document is previous to the
   target.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present an icon in a tool bar.

previous

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Prev
   Refers to the previous document in an ordered series of
   documents. Some user agents also support the synonym
   "Previous".

[HTML3.2(spec):LINK]

rel=previous
   The link references the previous document in a guided tour.

[HTML3.0(draft):LINK]

REL=Previous
   The link references the previous document in a guided tour.

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

PREVIOUS or PREV
   The PREVIOUS relationship identifies the previous document in
   an author-defined sequence of documents, such as a linear
   book.

   When REL=PREVIOUS, the target document is previous to the
   current document.

   When REV=PREVIOUS, the current document is previous to the
   target.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present an icon in a tool bar.

up

[HTML3.0(draft):LINK]

REL=Up
   When the document forms part of a hierarchy, this link
   references the immediate parent of the current document.

top

[HTML3.2(spec):LINK]

rel=top
   The link references the top of a hierarchy, e.g. the first or
   cover page in a collection.

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

TOP or ORIGIN
   The TOP relationship identifies the logical top of a
   hierarchical tree of which the current document is a branch.
   BEGIN is a functional equivalent to TOP, if only one  of these
   values is specified.

   When REL=TOP, the target document is the logical top node of
   the tree.  When REV=TOP, the current document is the logical
   top of the tree.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present an icon in a tool bar.

   NOTE: ORIGIN has been suggested as an alternative to TOP to
   provide metaphorical consistency with PARENT/CHILD/SIBLING.
   Comments are encouraged.

origin

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

TOP or ORIGIN
   The TOP relationship identifies the logical top of a
   hierarchical tree of which the current document is a branch.
   BEGIN is a functional equivalent to TOP, if only one  of these
   values is specified.

   When REL=TOP, the target document is the logical top node of
   the tree.  When REV=TOP, the current document is the logical
   top of the tree.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present an icon in a tool bar.

   NOTE: ORIGIN has been suggested as an alternative to TOP to
   provide metaphorical consistency with PARENT/CHILD/SIBLING.
   Comments are encouraged.

parent

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

PARENT
   The PARENT relationship identifies the superior or container
   node.

   When REL=PARENT, the target document is the hierarchical
   parent, or container, of the current document.

   When REV=PARENT, the current document is the hierarchical
   parent, or container, of the target.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present an icon in a tool bar.

child

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

CHILD
   The CHILD relationship identifies a subordinate or
   subdocument. Any document may have multiple CHILD documents
   within the same hierarchy.

   When REL=CHILD, the target document is a hierarchical child,
   or subdocument, of the current document.

   When REV=CHILD, the current document is the hierarchical
   child, or subdocument, of the target.

sibling

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

SIBLING
   The SIBLING relationship identifies a sibling in the current
   hierarchy. Any document may have multiple SIBLING documents
   within the same hierarchy.

   When REL=SIBLING, the target document is a child of a common
   parent, or a hierarchical peer of the current document.  REL
   and REV have equivalent meanings for the SIBLING
   relationship.

chapter

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Chapter
   Refers to a document serving as a chapter in a collection of
   documents.

section

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Section
   Refers to a document serving as a section in a collection of
   documents.

subsection

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Subsection
   Refers to a document serving as a subsection in a collection of
   documents.

appendix

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Appendix
   Refers to a document serving as an appendix in a collection of
   documents.

glossary

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Glossary
   Refers to a document providing a glossary of terms that
   pertain to the current document.

[HTML3.2(spec):LINK]

rel=glossary
   The link references a document providing a glossary of terms
   that are relevant to the current document.

[HTML3.0(draft):LINK]

REL=Glossary
   The link references a document providing a glossary of terms
   that pertain to the current document.

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

GLOSSARY
   The GLOSSARY relationship identifies a glossary.

   When REL=GLOSSARY, the target document is a glossary.  When
   REV=GLOSSARY, the current document is a glossary.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present an icon in a tool bar.

   A glossary may be directly presented as an HTML document which
   is organized and presented in a style reminiscent of a
   paper-based glossary.

   A glossary may also be accessed through an intermediary query
   mechanism.  For example, the user highlights a word or phrase
   and presses the glossary button, thereby accessing the linked
   object and passing the highlighted text as an argument.  The
   server returns the glossary entry relevant to the highlighted
   word.

definition

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

DEFINITION
   The DEFINITION relationship identifies a definition of a term.

   Definitions may be, but are not necessarily, contained within a
   glossary.  DEFINITION would most typically be specified on an A
   element, as it would specify a hypertext link from a term to
   its definition.
   	HTTP

footnote

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

FOOTNOTE
   The FOOTNOTE relationship identifies a footnote.

   When REL=FOOTNOTE is specified on an A element, the anchor is a
   footnote marker and the target is a footnote. This can be used
   to link from the footnote marker (or a highlighted word,
   phrase, etc.) to an HTML document which contains the footnote
   text, or to a portion of the same document (see REV=FOOTNOTE).

   When REL=FOOTNOTE is specified on a LINK element, it can
   specify a hypertext link to a set of footnotes which are
   related to the current document, or to a set of end-notes.

   When REV=FOOTNOTE is specified on an A element, the anchor is a
   footnote; that is, the actual content of the footnote, as
   opposed to a footnote marker. In this case, the target
   specified by the HREF value, if any, is the footnote marker.

   It has been suggested that the combination of REV=FOOTNOTE and
   NAME=...  on an A element may be used to imply that the
   enclosed content not be rendered until a link to it is
   explicitly traversed, at which time it can be presented in a
   popup window. This would allow for the inclusion of footnote
   text within a document that would not be visible until the
   reader wanted it to be presented. Developers of user agents are
   free to experiment with  this proposed feature, but there is no
   requirement that it be implemented.

citation

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

CITATION
   The CITATION relationship identifies a bibliographic citation.

   When REL=CITATION, the target is a bibliographic citation. The
   anchor, in this case, may be a bibliographic entry. The anchor
   may also be a reference, thus allowing the reader a way to
   locate the citation:
      ... as described by Tim Berners-Lee
   	<A REL=CITATION HREF=#TBL>[1]</A>
      ...

   When REV=CITATION, the anchor is a citation.  Typically, the
   anchor would also be enclosed within a CITE element as shown in
   the example below. The example shown here also corresponds to
   the previous example, serving as its target by use of the NAME
   attribute.
      ... is described in Tim Berners-Lee's
   	<CITE><A NAME=TBL REV=CITATION HREF=./biblio/TBL > The
      HyperText Markup Language </A> </CITE>
      ...

   NOTE: an alternative (and preferred) approach would be to add a
   URI-valued attribute (HREF?) to the HTML CITE element.

biblioentry

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

BIBLIOENTRY
   The BIBLIOENTRY relationship identifies a bibliographic entry.

   BIBLIOENTRY would most typically be specified on an A element,
   as it would specify a hypertext link between a citation and a
   bibliographic entry describing the citation.  Example:
   	<A REL=BIBLIOENTRY HREF="biblio.html#V.Bush"><CITE>As We
      May Think</CITE></A>

   The resource identified by this link may take any form desired
   by the author/publisher. A bibliographic entry may be presented
   in the style of a paper-based bibliographic entry, or it may be
   presented as the result of a database query.

bibliography

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

BIBLIOGRAPHY
   The BIBLIOGRAPHY relationship identifies a bibliography.

   The resource identified by this link may take any form desired
   by the author/publisher. A bibliography may be presented as an
   HTML document which is organized and presented in a style
   reminiscent of a paper-based bibliography. A bibliography may
   also be presented as a form-based query into a bibliographic
   database.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present a labeled icon in a tool bar.

help

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Help
   Refers to a document offering help (more information, links to
   other sources information, etc.)

[HTML3.2(spec):LINK]

rel=help
   The link references a document offering help, e.g. describing
   the wider context and offering further links to relevant
   documents. This is aimed at reorienting users who have lost
   their way.

[HTML3.0(draft):LINK]

REL=Help
   The link references a document offering help, e.g. describing
   the wider context and offering further links to relevant
   documents. This is aimed at reorienting users who have lost
   their way.

navigator

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

NAVIGATOR
   The NAVIGATOR relationship identifies a navigational aid.

   When REL=NAVIGATOR, the target document is a navigational aid.
   A navigational aid may consist of a whole or partial Table of
   Contents, a list of related documents, an indication of the
   current document's location within a document hierarchy, or
   any other information which may be useful to the user.

   When REV=NAVIGATOR, the current document is a navigational aid.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present an icon in a tool bar.

toc

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Contents
   Refers to a document serving as a table of contents. Some user
   agents also support the synonym ToC (from "Table of Contents").

[HTML3.0(draft):LINK]

REL=ToC
   The link references a document serving as a table of contents.

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

CONTENTS or TOC
   The TOC relationship identifies a Table of Contents.

   When REL=TOC, the target document is the Table of Contents for
   the current document, or for the collection of documents of
   which the current document is a member.

   When REV=TOC, the current document is a Table of Contents and
   the target document is a related document.

   When REL=TOC and REV=TOC it indicates that the current
   document is a Table of Contents and the target document is
   also a Table of Contents.  Additional REL/REV values may be
   used to specify the relationship between the two, such as
   PARENT/CHILD.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present an icon in a tool bar. Or, if
   capable, an HTML user agent may present the Table of Contents
   in a concurrent window or pane, highlighting the current
   document.

contents

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Contents
   Refers to a document serving as a table of contents. Some user
   agents also support the synonym ToC (from "Table of Contents").

[HTML3.2(spec):LINK]

rel=contents
   The link references a document serving as a table of contents.

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

CONTENTS or TOC
   The TOC relationship identifies a Table of Contents.

   When REL=TOC, the target document is the Table of Contents for
   the current document, or for the collection of documents of
   which the current document is a member.

   When REV=TOC, the current document is a Table of Contents and
   the target document is a related document.

   When REL=TOC and REV=TOC it indicates that the current
   document is a Table of Contents and the target document is
   also a Table of Contents.  Additional REL/REV values may be
   used to specify the relationship between the two, such as
   PARENT/CHILD.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present an icon in a tool bar. Or, if
   capable, an HTML user agent may present the Table of Contents
   in a concurrent window or pane, highlighting the current
   document.

index

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Index
   Refers to a document providing an index for the current
   document.

[HTML3.2(spec):LINK]

rel=index
   The link references a document providing an index for the
   current document.

[HTML3.0(draft):LINK]

REL=Index
   The link references a document providing an index for the
   current document.

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

INDEX
   The INDEX relationship identifies an index.

   When REL=INDEX, the target document is an index for the
   current document, or for the collection of documents of which
   the current document is a member.

   When REV=INDEX, the current document is an index. Additional
   REL/REV values may be used to further specify the relationship
   between the two ends of the link.

   If the hypertext link is specified with REL in a LINK element,
   an HTML user agent may present an icon in a tool bar.  An index
   may be presented as an HTML document which is organized and
   presented in a style reminiscent of a paper-based index.  An
   index may also be presented as a form-based query into a full-
   text search database.

search

[HTML3.2(spec):LINK]

rel=search
   The link references a page for searching material related to a
   collection of pages.

bookmark

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Bookmark
   Refers to a bookmark. A bookmark is a link to a key entry
   point within an extended document. The title attribute may be
   used, for example, to label the bookmark. Note that several
   bookmarks may be defined in each document.

[HTML3.0(draft):LINK]

REL=Bookmark
   Bookmarks are used to provide direct links to key entry points
   into an extended document. The TITLE attribute may be used to
   label the bookmark. Several bookmarks may be defined in each
   document, and provide a means for orienting users in extended
   documents.

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

BOOKMARK
   The BOOKMARK relationship identifies a bookmark.

   Bookmarks are used to provide direct links to key entry points
   into an extended document. The TITLE attribute may be used to
   label the bookmark.  Several bookmarks may be defined in each
   document, and provide a means for orienting users in extended
   documents.

banner

[HTML3.0(draft):LINK]

Using LINK to include a Document Banner

  The LINK element can be used with REL=Banner to reference
  another document to be used as banner for this document. This
  is typically used for corporate logos, navigation aids, and
  other information which shouldn't be scrolled with the rest of
  the document. For example:

      <LINK REL=Banner HREF=banner.html>

  The use of a LINK element in this way, allows a banner to be
  shared between several documents, with the benefit of being
  able to separately cache the banner. Rather than using a
  linked banner, you can also include the banner in the document
  itself, using the BANNER element.

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

BANNER
   The BANNER relationship identifies a document banner.

   When REL=BANNER, the target document is to be included  within
   the current document as a banner. A banner is typically used
   for corporate logos, custom toolbars, and other information
   which  would not typically be scrolled with the body of a
   document.

   When REV=BANNER, the current document is a banner. This may be
   used, in future, to provide error-checking or to prevent the
   use of a document as a banner unless it has been explicitly
   identified as a valid source. (Or not!  Sorry, I was reaching
   for a useful meaning.)

   Compelling arguments have been made against the need for  a
   REL=BANNER value, which is simply a special case of the INCLUDE
   mechanism.

copyright

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Copyright
   Refers to a copyright statement for the current document.

[HTML3.2(spec):LINK]

rel=copyright
   The link references a copyright statement for the current
   document.

[HTML3.0(draft):LINK]

REL=Copyright
   The link references a copyright statement for the current
   document.

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

COPYRIGHT
   The COPYRIGHT relationship identifies a hypertext link to a
   copyright notice.

   While it is arguable whether a copyright notice is required in
   every HTML file to assert copyright protection on it, there is
   clearly a desire to express copyright notice among a sufficient
   portion of the user community to justify support.

   A basic copyright notice for this document may simply state:
   "Copyright 1995 by Murray C.  Maloney".  It may be desirable,
   in place of or in addition to such a notice, to have a
   hypertext link between each HTML document in a set and a single
   copyright notice, as in the following examples:
   	<LINK REL=COPYRIGHT HREF="copyright.html">
   	<A REL=COPYRIGHT HREF="copyright.html">
      Copyright 1995 by Murray C. Maloney</A>

trademark

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

TRADEMARK
   The TRADEMARK relationship identifies a hypertext link to a
   trademark notice.  Usage is expected to be similar to that of
   the COPYRIGHT hypertext link.

disclaimer

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

DISCLAIMER
   The DISCLAIMER relationship identifies a hypertext link to a
   legal disclaimer.  Usage is expected to be similar to that  of
   the COPYRIGHT hypertext link. As with the copyright notice,
   there is no intention or expectation that such a link would be
   the only way to express a disclaimer.

publisher

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

PUBLISHER
   The PUBLISHER relationship identifies a hypertext link to a
   publisher.  Usage is expected to be similar to that of the
   AUTHOR hypertext link.

editor

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

EDITOR
   The EDITOR relationship identifies a hypertext link to an
   editor. Usage is expected to be similar to that of the AUTHOR
   hypertext link.

author

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

AUTHOR
   The AUTHOR relationship identifies a hypertext link to
   an author.

   The hypertext link may be to the author's home page, a
   biography, an audio or video clip, or an agent which sends mail
   to the author (e.g., using the `mailto:' scheme).

made

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

MADE
   The REV=MADE relationship has been used to identify the author
   or "maker" of an HTML document.  Typical HREF values include a
   `mailto:' URI or the URL of the author's home page.  Example:
   	<A REV=MADE HREF="mailto:murray@sq.com">Author</A>

[HTML+(draft):14.7]

Made
   Defines who is the "maker" of this document. The HREF attribute
   should give an appropriate URL e.g. "mailto:dsr@hplb.hpl.hp.com".
   Browsers can use this to allow people to mail or post comments
   to the author of the document.

meta

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

META
   The META relationship identifies a hypertext link to a node
   which contains meta-information related to the  current
   document. This is intended to be a generalized meta-data
   relationship descriptor.

script

[HTML4.01(spec):21-Document Type Definition]

<!--================== The LINK Element ==================================-->

<!--
  Relationship values can be used in principle:

   a) for document specific toolbars/menus when used
      with the LINK element in document head e.g.
      start, contents, previous, next, index, end, help
   b) to link to a separate style sheet (rel=stylesheet)
   c) to make a link to a script (rel=script)
   d) by stylesheets to control how collections of
      html nodes are rendered into printed documents
   e) to make a link to a printable version of this document
        e.g. a postscript or pdf version (rel=alternate media=print)
-->

stylesheet

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Stylesheet
   Refers to an external style sheet. See the section on external
   style sheets for details. This is used together with the
   link type "Alternate" for user-selectable alternate style
   sheets. 

[HTML3.0(draft):LINK]

Link to an associated Style Sheet

  The LINK element can be used with REL=StyleSheet to reference
  a style sheet to be used to control the way the current
  document is rendered. For example:

      <LINK REL=StyleSheet HREF=housestyle.dsssl>

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

STYLESHEET
   The STYLESHEET relationship identifies a stylesheet.

   When REL=STYLESHEET, the target document is a stylesheet. When
   associated with a LINK element, the author/publisher is
   expressing an expectation that the target stylesheet  will be
   applied by the HTML user agent. When associated with an A
   element, an HTML user agent may simply retrieve the target
   stylesheet for display, or it may launch a stylesheet editor
   with the target stylesheet.

   When REV=STYLESHEET, the current document is a stylesheet and
   the target document may be a demonstration of its use. In
   general, it is not anticipated that stylesheets will contain
   LINK or A elements, as they are not projected  to be HTML
   documents.

alternate

[HTML4.01(spec):6.12]

Alternate
   Designates substitute versions for the document in which the
   link occurs. When used together with the hreflang attribute [1],
   it implies a translated version of the document. When used
   together with the media attribute, it implies a version
   designed for a different medium (or media). 

translation

[Hypertext Links(draft):4]

TRANSLATION
   The TRANSLATION relationship specifies a translation to
   another language.

   When REL=TRANSLATION, the target is a translation to another
   language. This value will most typically be used with the LINK
   element, in combination with specification of the target
   document's language as a LANG attribute value.  Presumably,
   REL=TRANSLATION can be used with the A element to specify a
   translation of a document fragment, such as a  phrase in a
   foreign language.
   When REV=TRANSLATION, the current document, or document
   fragment, is a translation of the target.

The "node" and "path" values mentioned in the HTML 3.0 Draft DTD have not been included. Also, three link types included in Hypertext Links in HTML ([Hypertext Links(draft):4]) have not found their way into this document; two of them are reserved keywords, "hotlist" and "urc", and the other, "pointer", just hasn't been included.


[1]The specification reads "the lang attribute", but I believe this to be in error because the lang attribute is defined to describe the nature of the element itself whereas the hreflang attribute is defined to describe the linked resource (HTML4.01:12.1.5 - Internationalization and links). Furthermore, an entire section of examples (HTML4.01:12.3.3 - Links and search engines) is devoted to using alternate for accessing a different language version with hreflang, not lang, indicating the language.