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Introduction to HTML

Every website you've ever visited, from a simple blog to a massive shopping site, is built on a foundation of HTML. It's the starting point for anyone looking to build for the web.

HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language. It's the standard language used to create and structure the content of all web pages. Think of it like the skeleton of a human body—it provides the fundamental structure that everything else (like design and interactivity) is built upon.

HTML works by using a series of elements, which you use to enclose, or "wrap," different parts of your content. These elements, represented by tags, tell the browser how to display that content. For example, you can use tags to turn text into a link, italicize words, or make a heading bigger.


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Think of HTML as the skeleton of a webpage. It isn't responsible for the colors, fonts, or animations (that's CSS and JavaScript), but it provides the essential structure that holds everything together.

What is HTML?​

As we covered, HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language. But let's break that name down, as it tells you exactly what it does.

  • Hyper Text: This refers to text that isn't linear. It can contain links (or "hyperlinks") to other documents. When you click a link on a webpage, you are using hypertext to navigate the web.
  • Markup Language: This is a system of codes (or "tags") that defines the structure and presentation of a document. Unlike a programming language, a markup language doesn't use logic or algorithms. It simply "marks up" your content to tell a browser what it is.
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1. Markup Language vs. Programming Language​

It's a common point of confusion, so here’s a quick comparison:

No.Markup Language (like HTML)Programming Language (like JavaScript)
1.Defines the structure and presentation of content.Creates applications and handles logic.
2.It is static—it describes what is.It is dynamic—it describes what to do.
3.Provides a standard way to define elements (e.g., this is a heading, this is a paragraph).Uses logic, algorithms, and variables to perform tasks.
4.Used to create and structure web pages.Used to add interactivity and features to web applications.

2. Structure and Content Example​

HTML consists of a series of elements that wrap your content. Let's look at a basic HTML document. It defines a document type, a head (which contains meta-information like the title), and a body (which contains the visible content).

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>Page Title</title>
  </head>
  <body>
    <h1>This is a Heading</h1>
    <p>This is a paragraph.</p>
  </body>
</html>

In this example, the <h1> tag tells the browser to render "This is a Heading" as the main heading, and the <p> tag defines the text below it as a paragraph.

3. Platform Independent​

One of the best things about HTML is that it's platform-independent. This means any HTML file you create can be viewed on any operating system (like Windows, macOS, or Linux) and in any major web browser (like Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari).


Why Learn HTML?​

Learning HTML is the single most important first step in web development, and it opens up a surprising number of doors.

  1. It's the Foundation of the Web: You simply cannot build a website without it. HTML is the first layer of everything you see online. Learning it gives you a true understanding of how the web works.
  2. Unlock Your Career: Whether you want to be a web developer, a UI/UX designer, a digital marketer, or a content creator, knowing HTML is a huge advantage. It's a non-negotiable skill for most tech-adjacent roles.
  3. Learn Other Technologies Faster: Once you know HTML, learning CSS (for styling) and JavaScript (for interactivity) becomes much, much easier. HTML provides the structure that those other languages target.
  4. Build Your Own Projects: Want to build a portfolio, start a blog, or create a website for your small business? With HTML, you can. You'll gain the power to create things and share your ideas with the world.
  5. It's Fun and Rewarding: Seeing your code instantly turn into a real webpage in your browser is an incredibly fun and rewarding experience. You get to be both an architect and a builder, and you can see your results immediately.

Getting Started with HTML​

Starting with HTML is easier than you think. You don't need any complex software—just two simple tools you already have.

Steps to Start Using HTML​

1. Set up your tools

  • A Text Editor: This is where you will write your code. You can use something simple like Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac). However, most developers prefer a free, dedicated code editor like Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or Atom.
  • A Web Browser: This is what will read your HTML file and display it as a webpage. You can use Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or any other browser you like.

2. Create your first HTML document

  • Open your text editor and create a new file.

  • Copy and paste the following code into your file:

    index.html
    <!DOCTYPE html>
    <html>
      <head>
        <title>My First HTML Document</title>
      </head>
      <body>
        <h1>Hello, World!</h1>
        <p>This is my first HTML document.</p>
      </body>
    </html>

  • Save the file with an .html extension. For example, name it index.html.

  • Find the file on your computer and double-click it. It will open directly in your web browser!

http://127.0.0.1:5500/index.html

Hello, World!

This is my first HTML document.

3. Learn the Syntax and Structure

As you've seen, HTML is made of elements. An element usually consists of:

  • A start tag: like <p>
  • Content: like "This is my first HTML document."
  • An end tag: like </p>

4. Explore Elements and Attributes

From here, you can start learning more elements to structure your content:

  • <h1> through <h6> for headings
  • <a> for links (using the href attribute)
  • <img> for images (using the src attribute)
  • <ul>, <ol>, and <li> for lists

Conclusion​

You've just taken your first real step into web development. HTML is the essential skeleton of every webpage, and by understanding how to write it, you've unlocked the fundamental skill needed to build for the web.

Every complex website, every app, and every online tool you use starts with the same simple tags you've learned about today. From here, you can continue to explore more HTML elements or start adding style with CSS. So, keep building, and unleash your creativity on the web!