INTRODUCTION TO HTML
WHAT IS HTML
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. Its primary purpose is to create web pages.
While a single document is called a web page, a website is defined as a collection of multiple
interconnected web pages.
Requirements for Accessing Websites
To visit a website (such as wikipedia.org), three essential components are required:
1. Hardware: A device like a laptop, PC, or smartphone.
2. Internet Connection: An active connection via mobile data, Wi-Fi, or a
router.
3. Web Browser: Software used to access the internet, such as Google
Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Internet Explorer. It is noted that even
when using a "Google app" on a mobile device, a web browser is often
functioning in the background to render the content.
How the Web Works
Web Servers: All websites in the world are stored on web servers,
which are powerful computers dedicated to hosting site files.
The Request Process: When you enter a URL (Uniform Resource
Locator)—the specific address of a website—into the browser's address
bar, your device connects to the web server.
Downloading Content: Once connected, the server sends the HTML files
to your device. Your browser then downloads and displays these files
as a visual web page.
Creating vs. Publishing
Local Creation: You can write and create HTML pages and websites
offline on your computer or mobile without an internet connection.
Publishing/Hosting: To make your website visible to others globally,
you must upload it to a web server. This process often involves services
like GoDaddy, which provide space on a server for a fee, though some
free hosting options exist.
The Meaning of HTML
The name is broken down into three core concepts within the sources:
HyperText: Unlike "normal" or "ordinary" text, HyperText refers to text
that has extra features or effects added to it, such as being bold or
italicized.
Markup: This refers to the process or method used to convert normal
text into HyperText by adding those extra features.
Language: It is considered a language because it involves writing code
that a web browser interprets. The browser’s job is to take the source
code and convert it into a format (text, images, etc.) that humans can
easily read and understand.
, HTML is specifically described as a document-oriented language because its primary purpose
is to create documents (web pages), much like how a newspaper page is a type of document.
Advantages of HTML
The sources highlight several reasons why HTML is widely used:
No Special Software Required: You do not need complex software to
write HTML. A simple text editor like Notepad (which comes free with
Windows) is sufficient.
Hardware Independent: HTML programs can run on any operating
system (Windows, Linux, etc.) and any device (laptop, mobile)
regardless of the manufacturer.
Easy Error Finding: Since HTML code is relatively straightforward and
used for visual layout, finding and fixing errors is much simpler than in
languages like C++.
Free of Cost: There is no need to purchase HTML or its basic editors;
they are readily available and do not require expensive updates.
Simple to Learn: It is considered one of the simplest languages to learn,
making it very accessible for students compared to more complex
programming languages.
Disadvantages of HTML
Despite its strengths, HTML has significant limitations:
Not a "True" Programming Language: In a strict sense, HTML is for
document creation, not for building standalone software applications
like those created with C++ or Java.
No Calculations: HTML cannot perform mathematical calculations (like
adding two numbers). To do this, it must be integrated with other
languages like JavaScript or VBScript.
Static Content: On its own, HTML cannot display dynamic information
such as the current date or time.
Lack of Interactivity: Standard HTML cannot create interactive web
pages that communicate back and forth with the user; this "two-way
communication" requires additional scripting languages.
Not an Application: A web page created solely with HTML is a
document, not a functional application that can run independently of a
browser.
The Concept of Tags
In HTML, a tag is considered the unit of markup. It is the tool used to add features like bolding
or italics to ordinary text.
Format: Tags are always written inside angle brackets (e.g., <html>).
Pairs: Most tags come in pairs: an opening tag and a closing tag.
Closing: A tag is closed by using a forward slash (/) before the tag
name (e.g., </html>).
The Essential Structure of an HTML Document
To create a standard web page, four essential tags must be used in a specific order. This is
known as the Basic Structure:
WHAT IS HTML
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. Its primary purpose is to create web pages.
While a single document is called a web page, a website is defined as a collection of multiple
interconnected web pages.
Requirements for Accessing Websites
To visit a website (such as wikipedia.org), three essential components are required:
1. Hardware: A device like a laptop, PC, or smartphone.
2. Internet Connection: An active connection via mobile data, Wi-Fi, or a
router.
3. Web Browser: Software used to access the internet, such as Google
Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Internet Explorer. It is noted that even
when using a "Google app" on a mobile device, a web browser is often
functioning in the background to render the content.
How the Web Works
Web Servers: All websites in the world are stored on web servers,
which are powerful computers dedicated to hosting site files.
The Request Process: When you enter a URL (Uniform Resource
Locator)—the specific address of a website—into the browser's address
bar, your device connects to the web server.
Downloading Content: Once connected, the server sends the HTML files
to your device. Your browser then downloads and displays these files
as a visual web page.
Creating vs. Publishing
Local Creation: You can write and create HTML pages and websites
offline on your computer or mobile without an internet connection.
Publishing/Hosting: To make your website visible to others globally,
you must upload it to a web server. This process often involves services
like GoDaddy, which provide space on a server for a fee, though some
free hosting options exist.
The Meaning of HTML
The name is broken down into three core concepts within the sources:
HyperText: Unlike "normal" or "ordinary" text, HyperText refers to text
that has extra features or effects added to it, such as being bold or
italicized.
Markup: This refers to the process or method used to convert normal
text into HyperText by adding those extra features.
Language: It is considered a language because it involves writing code
that a web browser interprets. The browser’s job is to take the source
code and convert it into a format (text, images, etc.) that humans can
easily read and understand.
, HTML is specifically described as a document-oriented language because its primary purpose
is to create documents (web pages), much like how a newspaper page is a type of document.
Advantages of HTML
The sources highlight several reasons why HTML is widely used:
No Special Software Required: You do not need complex software to
write HTML. A simple text editor like Notepad (which comes free with
Windows) is sufficient.
Hardware Independent: HTML programs can run on any operating
system (Windows, Linux, etc.) and any device (laptop, mobile)
regardless of the manufacturer.
Easy Error Finding: Since HTML code is relatively straightforward and
used for visual layout, finding and fixing errors is much simpler than in
languages like C++.
Free of Cost: There is no need to purchase HTML or its basic editors;
they are readily available and do not require expensive updates.
Simple to Learn: It is considered one of the simplest languages to learn,
making it very accessible for students compared to more complex
programming languages.
Disadvantages of HTML
Despite its strengths, HTML has significant limitations:
Not a "True" Programming Language: In a strict sense, HTML is for
document creation, not for building standalone software applications
like those created with C++ or Java.
No Calculations: HTML cannot perform mathematical calculations (like
adding two numbers). To do this, it must be integrated with other
languages like JavaScript or VBScript.
Static Content: On its own, HTML cannot display dynamic information
such as the current date or time.
Lack of Interactivity: Standard HTML cannot create interactive web
pages that communicate back and forth with the user; this "two-way
communication" requires additional scripting languages.
Not an Application: A web page created solely with HTML is a
document, not a functional application that can run independently of a
browser.
The Concept of Tags
In HTML, a tag is considered the unit of markup. It is the tool used to add features like bolding
or italics to ordinary text.
Format: Tags are always written inside angle brackets (e.g., <html>).
Pairs: Most tags come in pairs: an opening tag and a closing tag.
Closing: A tag is closed by using a forward slash (/) before the tag
name (e.g., </html>).
The Essential Structure of an HTML Document
To create a standard web page, four essential tags must be used in a specific order. This is
known as the Basic Structure:
