What is the Difference Between Hypertext and Hypermedia?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between hypertext and hypermedia lies in the types of links and media they involve. Here are the key differences between the two:

  • Hypertext:
  1. Refers to the system of managing information related to plain text.
  2. Involves only text, with hyperlinks connecting links to other text.
  3. Allows the user to navigate through text in a non-linear way.
  4. Helps the user move from one document to another in a single click.
  5. Provides a basic user experience.
  • Hypermedia:
  1. Refers to connecting hypertext with other media such as graphics, sounds, animations.
  2. Involves graphics, images, videos, and audio, in addition to text.
  3. Can be understood as an improved version of hypertext, incorporating multimedia elements.
  4. Allows the user to click on text or any other multimedia to move from one page to another.
  5. Provides a better user experience and attracts more users.

In summary, hypertext is a system for managing text-based information using non-linear links, while hypermedia is an enhanced version of hypertext that incorporates multimedia elements, such as graphics, sounds, and animations, in addition to text. Hypertext is a part of hypermedia, and hypermedia is considered the superior entity.

Comparative Table: Hypertext vs Hypermedia

Here is a table comparing the differences between hypertext and hypermedia:

Feature Hypertext Hypermedia
Definition Hypertext is a cross-referencing technology that uses hyperlinks to connect text. Hypermedia is an extension of hypertext, referring to the connection of text with other media types like images, videos, and audio.
Representation Hypertext involves only text. Hypermedia involves text, images, videos, audio, and other multimedia elements.
Links In hypertext, only text becomes a component of the link. Hypermedia is an improved version of hypertext, where, in addition to text, other multimedia elements become a part of the link.
Method Hypertext is a non-linear way of presenting information. Hypermedia is a linear way of presenting information.
Navigation Hypertext allows users to navigate through text in a non-linear way. Hypermedia includes multimedia elements to improve the user's multimedia experience.

In summary, hypertext is a non-linear way of presenting text with links to other text, while hypermedia is an extension of hypertext that includes links to other text and various multimedia elements, providing a more engaging and dynamic user experience.