`, and more are considered to be `HTMLElement`.
Now, the key difference between `Element` and `HTMLElement` lies in their inheritance hierarchy. The `Element` interface is the base interface for all elements, regardless of their type. It contains methods and properties that are common to all types of elements, such as `setAttribute()`, `getAttribute()`, `cloneNode()`, etc.
On the other hand, the `HTMLElement` interface is a sub-interface of `Element`. It extends `Element` by adding properties and methods that are specific to HTML elements. This includes properties like `id`, `className`, `style`, `hidden`, and methods like `focus()` that are only applicable to HTML elements.
To put it simply, all HTML elements are instances of both `Element` and `HTMLElement`. However, not all elements that are instances of the `Element` interface are HTML elements. This is where the distinction becomes important when writing code that specifically targets HTML elements or working with elements in a more general context.
When manipulating elements in the DOM using JavaScript, understanding this difference can help developers write more specific and efficient code. For example, if you want to set a class name on an HTML element, you would use the `HTMLElement` interface to access the `className` property. Similarly, if you want to work with any generic element, you would use the `Element` interface to perform common operations that apply to all elements.
In conclusion, while `Element` and `HTMLElement` may seem similar at first glance, they serve distinct roles in the world of web development. Being aware of this subtle but important difference can aid developers in writing cleaner, more maintainable code when interacting with elements on web pages.