What is HTML?
HTML is markup language that is used to build pages on the World Wide Web.
HTML is not a programming language but rather a markup language, meaning it focuses on organising and presenting content rather than executing code.
What does HTML stand for?
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. HyperText Markup Language (HTML) essentially refers to a system of tagging text files to achieve font, colour, graphic, and hyperlink effects on web pages.
The term “HyperText” denotes the links that allow users to navigate between documents by clicking on keywords or phrases within the text, while “Markup Language” implies the use of tags to define the structure and presentation of content.
In simpler terms, HTML is a language used to create web pages, enabling the structuring of text, images, and other media for display in a web browser.
Why is HTML important?
HTML is fundamental to the web development process because it provides the basic structure of web pages. Without HTML, web pages would not exist in a format that browsers could interpret and display to users.
HTML allows developers to embed images, create hyperlinks, structure text, and insert multimedia content, creating a rich and interactive user experience.
Additionally, HTML is the starting point for learning other web technologies, such as CSS and JavaScript, which further enhance the design and functionality of web pages.
Basic HTML elements
HTML consists of various elements that structure web pages. Here are some of the fundamental elements:
<!DOCTYPE html>This declaration defines the document type and version of HTML being used, ensuring that the web browser renders the page correctly.
<html>The root element that encloses all other HTML elements on the web page.
<head>This section contains meta-information about the document, such as the title, character set, and links to external resources like CSS files.
<title>Specifies the title of the web page, which appears in the browser’s title bar or tab.
<body>Contains the actual content of the web page, such as text, images, links, and other media.
<h1> to <h6>Heading elements that define headings, with <h1> being the highest (or most important) level and <h6> the lowest.
<p>Defines a paragraph of text.
<a>Defines a hyperlink, allowing users to navigate to other web pages or resources.
<img>Embeds images into the web page.
<ul>, <ol>, and <li>Used to create unordered (bulleted) and ordered (numbered) lists.
To learn more about these basic HTML elements and how to use them, make sure out our ‘learn html elements’ section of the website!
Versions of HTML
HTML has evolved over time, with several versions being released to introduce new features and improve web standards. Some of the key versions include:
HTML 1.0
The first version, introduced in 1993, provided basic structure and formatting capabilities.
HTML 2.0
Released in 1995, this version included improvements and new elements for better functionality.
HTML 3.2
Introduced in 1997, it brought new elements and attributes for more advanced web page design.
HTML 4.01
Released in 1999, this version included significant enhancements and established a stable framework for modern web development.
HTML5
The latest major version, introduced in 2014, brought numerous new features, including support for multimedia, new form elements, and APIs for enhanced interactivity and functionality.
How do HTML and CSS work together?
HTML and CSS work together to allow you to craft visually appealing and well-structured websites.
HTML outlines the structure and content, whereas CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) manages the appearance and layout.
CSS enables developers to style HTML elements by defining fonts, colors, margins, and positioning, resulting in a uniform and appealing design throughout the site.
This separation of content (HTML) and design (CSS) simplifies the process of maintaining and updating web pages, allowing changes to be made without modifying the core structure.
What tools can I use to write HTML?
There are various tools available for writing HTML, ranging from simple text editors to advanced integrated development environments (IDEs).
Text Editors
Basic text editors like Notepad and TextEdit can be used to write HTML code.
Code Editors
More advanced code editors like Notepad++ (recommended for Windows), Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, and Atom (recommended for MacOS) provide features such as syntax highlighting, code completion, and debugging tools, making it easier to write and manage HTML code.
IDEs
Integrated development environments like Adobe Dreamweaver and JetBrains WebStorm offer comprehensive development tools, including visual design interfaces, code editors, and project management features.
Sometimes the code writing software you can use is limited by your operating system. Not all of the options out there may be viable.
Where can I learn HTML?
You can learn HTML right here, on HowCodingWorks.com! Either learn HTML here, or read our HTML guides.
We also have videos on TikTok, Youtube, Instagram and Facebook – so take your pick!
If you have a question, drop us a message on any of these social channels. We look forward to hearing from you.
Conclusion
HTML is the cornerstone of web development, providing the essential structure and foundation for web pages. By learning HTML, you gain the ability to create and design web content, paving the way for further exploration of web technologies like CSS and JavaScript.
With numerous resources available online and offline, anyone can start learning HTML and begin their journey into the world of web development. Take that step and start learning!
Learn HTML today with HowCodingWorks.
