What is HTML

What is HTML?

HTML, which stands for Hypertext Markup Language, is the language used to create and design web pages. It provides a structured way of organizing and displaying content on the World Wide Web. HTML is the foundation of web development. It describes the layout and structure of a web document through the organization of tags and attributes. These tags are enclosed in corner brackets `< >` and provide guidance to web browsers on how to display the content.

The basic structure of an HTML document

Every HTML document follows a basic format:


<!DOCTYPE html>: This declaration specifies the HTML version in use (in this case HTML5).

<html>: The root of the HTML page.

<head>: Contains meta-information about the document, such as title and links to style sheets.

<title>: Define the title of the document (displayed in the browser's title bar or tab).

<body>: contains the main body of the document, such as text, images, links, and so on.

HTML tags and elements

HTML tags are used to describe the different elements of a web page. Some common tags are:

<h1> to <h6>: Title with different position.

<p>: Paragraphs in text.

<a>: Anchor tags to create links.

<img>: Inserts images.

<ul>, <ol>, <li>: Define an unsorted list, a sorted list, and a list item.

<table>, <tr>, <td>: Used to create tables with their rows and cells.

<form>, <input>, <button>: objects for creating input text and buttons and other form controls.

Attributes

HTML elements can have attributes that provide additional information about them. Attributes appear in the opening tag and are usually name-value pairs.

For example:

href, src, alt, id, name, type are some of the common attributes used in object types.

Semantic HTML

Semantic HTML is the use of HTML tags that define the meaning of the content. This helps search engines and screen readers better understand website layout, improves navigation and SEO.

For example:

HTML5 features

HTML5 introduced many new features and innovations to improve web development:

<video> and <audio>: Media files will be loaded directly into web browsers.

<canvas>: Draws graphics and animations using JavaScript.

<svg>: An editable vector graphic for creating vector graphics and animations.

<article> and <section>: structure elements for organizing content.

<header>, <footer>, <nav>, <aside>: semantic elements used to describe specific parts of a web page.

HTML and CSS

When HTML describes the structure and content of a web page, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used to create and organize that information. CSS controls all aspects like colors, fonts, spacing, and layout.

Examples of linking CSS to HTML:

HTML and JavaScript

JavaScript is used to add dynamic interactions and actions to web pages. It can process the HTML content, respond to user actions, and communicate with servers.

Examples of linking JavaScript and HTML:

HTML best practice

HTML valid: Use valid and optimized HTML to ensure browser compatibility.

Semantic Markup: Use appropriate tags to clearly define structure and meaning.

Separation of nuisances: Keep HTML for layout, CSS for presentation, and JavaScript for actions.

Accessibility: Make sure your web pages are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

SEO: Use semantic markup and relevant keywords to improve search engine rankings.

Conclusion

HTML is the primary language for building web pages, providing structure and information that users interact with. It is constantly evolving with new standards and features, supporting richer and more interactive web experiences. Understanding HTML is essential for everyone involved in web development, from beginners creating simple pages to professionals developing complex web applications.


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