How important is it to learn HTML before XHTML?

[johnny suede]

Is it okay to learn XHTML without having any HTML knowledge at all? Do you think learning to hand code HTML is necessary to be taught in a Web Design class rather than directly proceeding to tools such as Dreamweaver?

[ernest_t_carroll]

Yes, it's okay to learn XHTML because it goes hand-in-hand with HTML. Basically, learning XHTML will teach you HTML. The main difference is that XHTML is a "well-formed" version of HTML.A tool like Dreamweaver almost promotes knowledge of XHTML. There are instances when the Design tab just won't do what you need it to. If the code is a mystery to you, you'll be stuck. It's always good to have a working knowledge (not a mastery per se) of the gears that make the clock tick.