Last Updated on October 4, 2023

Introduction to HTML

HTML, short for HyperText Markup Language, is the backbone of every website you see on the internet. It is the standard markup language used to structure and present the content on webpages.

In this post, we will give you a brief overview of what HTML is and how it functions.

HTML plays a crucial role in web development as it allows developers to create structured documents by defining the structure and layout of a webpage.

It provides a set of tags that define various elements such as headings, paragraphs, images, links, forms, and more.

The importance of HTML in web development cannot be overstated. HTML acts as a building block for designing websites, making it essential for anyone interested in developing webpages.

Understanding HTML enables you to create well-structured and accessible content that can be interpreted by web browsers.

HTML functions by using a system of markup tags that define the structure and presentation of content within a webpage.

These tags are enclosed within angle brackets, and each tag serves a specific purpose. For example, the tag represents the main heading of a webpage, while the tag represents a paragraph.

Web browsers interpret the HTML code and display the content accordingly. HTML is a platform-independent language, which means it can be used on any device with a web browser.

It allows you to create webpages that are accessible and usable across different devices and screen sizes.

In the upcoming sections, we will dive deeper into HTML, exploring different tags and their functionalities.

By the end of this guide, you will have a solid foundation in HTML, empowering you to create your own webpages from scratch. Let’s begin this exciting journey into the world of HTML!

Basic Structure of HTML

HTML, or HyperText Markup Language, is the standard language for building websites. It uses tags and elements to structure and format content.

HTML Tags and Elements

Tags are used to define different parts of an HTML document.

They are enclosed within angle brackets and come in pairs – opening and closing tags.

Opening and Closing Tags

An opening tag is used to start a particular HTML element and a closing tag is used to end it.

The content goes between these tags.

Nesting Tags

HTML tags can be nested inside one another to create a hierarchical structure.

Each opening tag must have a corresponding closing tag.

Self-closing Tags

Some HTML tags don’t require a closing tag.

They are self-closing and end with a forward slash before the closing angle bracket.

Doctype Declaration

The doctype declaration is the very first line in an HTML document and it informs the browser about the version of HTML being used.

Now that we have covered the basic structure of HTML, let’s dive deeper into each concept.

HTML Tags and Elements

Tags are used to define the different parts of an HTML document. They instruct the browser on how to display the content. Some common tags include:

- ``: This tag defines the root element of an HTML page.
- ``: This tag contains meta-information about the document, such as the title and links to external resources.
- ``: This tag contains the visible content of the HTML page.
- `

`: This tag defines a paragraph.
- `

` to `

`: These tags define headings, with `

` being the highest level and `

` the lowest.

Opening and Closing Tags

To define an HTML element, you need to use opening and closing tags. The opening tag comes first and the closing tag comes after the content.

For example:

This is a paragraph.

Nesting Tags

HTML allows you to nest tags within one another to create complex structures. For example:

Title    This is a nested paragraph.

Self-closing Tags

Some tags, like the “ tag, don’t require a closing tag. They are self-closing and end with a forward slash. For example:

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} -->
<h6 class="wp-block-heading">```<br><img src="image.jpg" alt="An image"><br>```</h6>
<!-- /wp:heading -->

Doctype Declaration

The doctype declaration informs the browser about the version of HTML being used. It ensures that the browser interprets the HTML code correctly. For HTML5, the doctype declaration is:

In essence, understanding the basic structure of HTML is crucial for building websites.

By using tags, opening and closing tags, nesting tags, self-closing tags, and adding the doctype declaration, you can create well-structured and valid HTML documents. So start practicing and get ready to become a master of HTML!

Read: 5 Best Programming Languages for Civic Tech

HTML Document Structure

Head section

The structure of an HTML document consists of the head and body sections.

In the head section, we use meta tags to provide information about the webpage.

Meta tags

Meta tags include attributes like charset, description, and keywords.

Title tag

The title tag is also part of the head section, and it represents the title of the webpage.

Linking external stylesheets

Linking external stylesheets is another important task in the head section.

We use the link element with the rel attribute set to stylesheet to achieve this.

Script tags for JavaScript

Script tags are used to include JavaScript code in the head section.

Body section

Moving on to the body section, this is where we put the main content of the webpage.

This includes the text, images, videos, and other content that we want to display.

Within the body section, we can also create separate sections like header, navigation, and footer.

These sections help organize the content and make it more user-friendly.

To enhance the structure of our HTML document, we can use semantic HTML tags.

Semantic tags like header, nav, main, footer, article, section, and aside provide meaning to the structure.

Using these tags improves accessibility and helps search engines understand the content better.

The header tag represents the introductory or navigational information for a webpage.

It typically contains branding, logo, and site navigation.

The navigation tag is used to define a set of navigation links within a webpage.

Footer, as the name suggests, represents the footer or bottom section of a webpage.

It can include copyright information, contact details, and other relevant links.

Main content of the webpage

The main tag is used to define the main content of a webpage.

It should be unique and contain the central focus of the document.

Header, navigation, and footer sections

Apart from these specific tags, we can also use other semantic tags like article and section.

The article tag represents a standalone piece of content, like a blog post or news article.

On the other hand, the section tag defines a section or a group of related content.

Using semantic HTML tags for better structure

By using these semantic HTML tags, we can structure our documents in a more meaningful way.

This not only helps with styling and layout but also improves accessibility and search engine optimization.

In fact, understanding the structure of an HTML document is crucial for web development.

By properly organizing our code using the head and body sections, we can create well-structured webpages.

Additionally, using semantic HTML tags further enhances the structure and improves the overall user experience.

So, next time you create an HTML document, remember to pay attention to its structure and use semantic tags.

Text Formatting

When it comes to text formatting in HTML, there are several tags and elements that you can use to enhance the appearance of your web pages.

In this section, we will explore some of the most commonly used text formatting techniques.

Heading tags (h1 to h6)

HTML provides different heading tags, ranging from h1 to h6, which can be used to create headings of different sizes. The h1 tag represents the largest heading, while h6 represents the smallest.

For instance, if you want to create a main heading for your web page, you can use the h1 tag like this:

This is the Main Heading

Similarly, for subheadings, you can use the h2, h3, h4, h5, and h6 tags accordingly.

Paragraph tags

To create paragraphs of text, you can use the p tag. It allows you to structure your content into meaningful blocks.

Here’s an example of how you can use the p tag:

This is a paragraph of text. It can contain multiple sentences and provide additional information.

Line breaks

Sometimes, you may want to create line breaks in your text without starting a new paragraph. For that, you can use the br tag.

Here’s an example:

This is the first line.
This is the second line.

This will display the text on separate lines.

Bold and italic text

To emphasize certain words or phrases, you can use the strong and em tags respectively. The strong tag is used for bold text, while the em tag is used for italics.

Here’s an example:

This is bold and italic text.

Adding comments in HTML

Comments are an essential part of any code as they add explanations for developers. In HTML, you can add comments using the tags.

Here’s how you can add a comment:

Comments are useful for providing additional information or making notes about your code.

To wrap up

Text formatting is an important aspect of HTML as it allows you to structure and enhance the appearance of your web content.

By using heading tags, paragraph tags, line breaks, bold and italic text, and comments, you can make your web pages more visually appealing and well-organized.

Remember to always use the appropriate HTML tags for each formatting technique and follow best practices for clean and readable code.

With these text formatting techniques in your HTML toolkit, you are well on your way to creating visually stunning and engaging web pages.

Read: The Role of Coding in America’s Job Market Today

Working with Links and Images

Hyperlinks and anchor tags

To create a hyperlink, use the anchor tag “. The `href` attribute specifies the URL of the webpage you want to link to.

Hyperlinks and anchor tags are essential elements in web development. They enable you to create clickable links that connect webpages together, enhancing user experience and providing easy navigation.

Linking to other webpages

When linking to other webpages, the “ tag is your weapon of choice. You simply set the `href` attribute to the desired URL.

For example, `Click here` will create a hyperlink that redirects users to the specified webpage upon clicking the “Click here” text.

Linking to specific parts of a webpage

Using anchor tags, you can link to other webpages or specific sections within a webpage.

Sometimes, you may want to link to a specific section within a webpage. To achieve this, you can set the `href` attribute to the ID of the element you wish to link to.

For instance, `Go to section` will direct users to the element with the ID “section” on the same webpage.

Opening links in a new tab

To give users the option to open a link in a new tab or window, add the `target=”_blank”` attribute to the anchor tag.

This attribute ensures that the linked webpage opens in a new tab, allowing users to easily return to the original webpage.

Inserting images

Apart from creating links, HTML also provides the ability to insert images. The “ tag is used for this purpose.

You need to set the `src` attribute to the image file’s path or URL. For example, `` will insert an image called “image.jpg” on the webpage.

Image tags and attributes

The “ tag should have an `alt` attribute to provide alternative text for screen readers and search engines.

When inserting images, it is important to include the `alt` attribute within the “ tag. This attribute provides alternative text for screen readers and search engines.

It is crucial for accessibility and SEO purposes, so make sure to provide a concise and descriptive text that accurately represents the image.

Optimizing images for the web

Reduce image file sizes by compressing them. Use image editing software to crop and resize images accordingly.

Another significant consideration when working with images is optimizing them for the web. Large image file sizes can significantly slow down webpage loading times.

To address this, compress your images using tools or software that reduce the file size without compromising the image quality.

Additionally, crop and resize images as needed to fit the dimensions required by your webpage.

In a nutshell, understanding how to work with links and images in HTML is crucial for creating dynamic and visually appealing webpages.

Use anchor tags to connect webpages, and leverage the power of hyperlinks to navigate between different sections.

Additionally, remember to add alternative text and optimize your images for a seamless web experience.

Read: How Code Can Shape Public Policy in the U.S.

Creating Lists

One of the essential elements to understand when learning HTML is how to create lists. Lists are used to organize and present information in a structured and readable manner.

There are three main components involved in creating lists: ordered lists (ol), unordered lists (ul), and list items (li). Additionally, nested lists can be used to further organize and categorize information within lists.

Ordered lists (ol) and unordered lists (ul)

Ordered lists (ol) are used when a specific order or sequence needs to be conveyed. To create an ordered list, the ol tag is used, and each list item is enclosed within an li tag. Here is an example:

1. First item
   
   
2. Second item
   
   
3. Third item

This will display the list as follows:

1. First item


2. Second item


3. Third item

List items (li)

Unordered lists (ul) are used when the order of the items doesn’t matter. To create an unordered list, the ul tag is used, and again, each list item is enclosed within an li tag. Here is an example:

1. Red
   
   
2. Green
   
   
3. Blue

This will display the list as follows:

– Red
– Green
– Blue

Nested lists

Now, let’s take a look at nested lists. Nested lists involve adding lists within lists, creating a hierarchical structure. This can be achieved by placing an ol or ul tag within an li tag. Here is an example:

1. First item
   
   
2. Second item
   – Nested item 1
   – Nested item 2
   
   
3. Third item

This will display the list as follows:

1. First item


2. Second item
– Nested item 1
– Nested item 2


3. Third item

Nested lists can be particularly useful when presenting complex information or organizing data into different levels of importance or categories.

By understanding how to create ordered lists (ol), unordered lists (ul), list items (li), and nested lists, you can effectively structure and present information in an organized manner within your HTML documents.

It is important to remember to use the appropriate tags and syntax when creating lists. Additionally, CSS can be utilized to style lists and further enhance their visual appearance.

In fact, lists are a fundamental component of HTML and play a crucial role in organizing and presenting information.

By mastering the techniques of creating ordered lists, unordered lists, list items, and nested lists, you can easily improve the clarity and readability of your HTML content.

So, don’t forget to leverage the power of lists in your web development projects!

Read: Coding for America: Bridging the Gap in Tech Skills

Tables

Creating tables using HTML tags

Creating tables using HTML tags is an essential skill for web developers. Tables are used to organize and present data in a structured manner. With HTML, you can easily construct tables by utilizing specific tags.

To begin with, the “table” tag is the starting point for creating tables. It is followed by the “tr” tag, which represents a table row.

Inside the row, you can include the “th” tag for table headers and the “td” tag for table cells.

Table headers (th)

The “th” tag is used to define table headers, which are typically displayed in bold. These headers provide a clear description of the data in each column or row.

You can use the “colspan” attribute to merge multiple cells horizontally, creating a consolidated header.

Table rows (tr) and cells (td)

On the other hand, the “td” tag is used to define table cells. Cells can contain various types of content, such as text, images, or links.

You can also use the “rowspan” attribute to merge cells vertically, spanning across multiple rows.

When constructing tables, it is important to remember the proper structure. Each table row should contain an equal number of cells, and make sure to close all tags accordingly.

This ensures that the table is well-formed and renders correctly on different browsers.

To further customize tables, you can apply CSS styles. By adding classes or IDs to your table tags, you can target specific tables and control their appearance.

This allows you to change the table’s font, background color, border, and other visual attributes according to your design preferences.

Tables can be used for a wide range of purposes, such as displaying tabular data, creating calendars, or designing layouts.

They provide a flexible and organized way to present information on webpages. However, it is important to use tables appropriately and avoid overusing them for non-tabular content.

Merging table cells

One common advanced technique is merging table cells. This can be done both horizontally and vertically, allowing you to create more complex table structures.

By using the “colspan” or “rowspan” attributes, you can merge cells and span them across multiple columns or rows.

Merging cells is particularly useful when dealing with headers or when you need to present data in a more condensed form.

It helps to reduce visual clutter and improve readability. However, it should be used sparingly, as excessive merging can make the table harder to understand.

In short, understanding how to create tables using HTML tags is an important skill for web developers. Tables are versatile elements that allow you to organize and display data in a structured manner.

By utilizing the “table,” “tr,” “th,” and “td” tags, you can construct tables with ease.

Remember to maintain proper structure, consider CSS styling, and use merging techniques judiciously to create well-designed tables that enhance the user experience.

Forms

Forms are a fundamental aspect of web development, allowing users to input and submit data. Understanding how to utilize form tags and attributes is crucial for any beginner programmer.

In this section, we will explore the basics of HTML forms, including input types, submit buttons, and handling form data with server-side programming languages.

Form tags and attributes

Form tags are used to create an HTML form, encapsulating all the elements within it. The most common form tag is the “ tag, which has various attributes that control its behavior.

These attributes include the action attribute, which specifies the URL where the form data will be sent, and the method attribute, which determines the HTTP method used to send the form data.

Input types (text, checkbox, radio buttons, etc.)

Input types refer to the different types of data input that users can provide within a form. The most frequently used input type is the “, which allows users to enter text.

Other popular input types include checkboxes, radio buttons, and select dropdown menus, each serving different purposes.

Checkbox input types are used when users can select multiple options, while radio buttons are used when users should choose only one option from a list.

Submit buttons

Submit buttons are essential for submitting form data. You can create a submit button by using the “ tag.

When a user clicks on the submit button, the form data is sent to the URL specified in the form’s action attribute. It is important to note that each form should typically have only one submit button.

Handling form data with server-side programming languages

Handling form data with server-side programming languages is an essential part of web development. When a form is submitted, the data is sent to a server using the HTTP POST or GET method.

Server-side programming languages like PHP, Python, or Ruby can process this data and perform various tasks, such as storing data in a database or sending an email notification.

To handle form data in server-side programming languages, you need to access the form data sent by the user. Most programming languages provide built-in functions or libraries to facilitate this process.

These functions allow you to retrieve the values entered by the user in each input field and perform necessary validation or manipulation.

In general, HTML forms are crucial for collecting and submitting data on the web. Understanding form tags, attributes, input types, and submit buttons is essential for creating user-friendly forms.

Additionally, knowing how to handle form data with server-side programming languages will allow you to process and utilize the information provided by users effectively.

With this knowledge, you can create interactive and functional websites that engage users and collect data efficiently.

Semantic HTML

Semantic HTML plays a crucial role in creating a website that is accessible, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines.

By using semantic tags, such as header, nav, main, article, section, and more, you can enhance your website structure and improve the overall user experience.

Importance of using semantic HTML for better accessibility and SEO

Semantic HTML helps in structuring the content of a webpage, making it more accessible for users with disabilities.

By using semantic tags, assistive technologies like screen readers can interpret and present the content more accurately.

This ensures that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can access and navigate your website effectively.

Moreover, search engines rely on semantic HTML to understand the context and relevance of a webpage’s content.

By using appropriate semantic tags, you provide search engines with valuable information about your content, which can positively impact your search engine rankings.

This, in turn, boosts your website’s visibility and organic traffic.

Semantic tags (header, nav, main, article, section, etc.)

Semantic tags offer an organized and meaningful structure to the content of your webpage. Let’s look at some commonly used semantic tags and their purposes:

• Header: The header tag represents the introductory content or the navigation section of a webpage. It typically contains the site’s logo, main heading, and primary navigation links.
  
  
• Nav: The nav tag is used to define a section of navigation links that direct users to other parts of the website or external pages.
  
  
• Main: The main tag represents the main content of a webpage. It should contain unique and essential information related to the page’s purpose.
  
  
• Article: The article tag is used to define a self-contained piece of content within a webpage. It is commonly used for blog posts, news articles, forum threads, or any other independent content.
  
  
• Section: The section tag represents a generic standalone section within a document. It helps organize content into meaningful sections and can be used for chapters, topics, or any visually distinct content.

By using these semantic tags appropriately, you create a clear hierarchy and structure for your website, making it easier for users and search engines to understand and navigate.

Enhancing website structure and user experience

Using semantic HTML not only improves accessibility and SEO but also enhances the overall user experience. Here’s how semantic HTML elements contribute to a better website structure and usability:

• Clearer navigation: By utilizing the nav tag, you enable users to identify the primary navigation section easily. This improves the overall user experience and helps visitors find their desired content quickly.
  
  
• Improved content comprehension: Semantic tags like article and section provide context to the content, allowing users to understand the relationship between different parts of the webpage.
  
  This makes the information more digestible and helps users engage with the content more effectively.
  
  
• Responsive design: Semantic tags play a crucial role in creating a responsive website design.
  
  For example, by using the main tag, you indicate the primary content area, allowing for better responsiveness across different devices and screen sizes.
  
  
• Consistency and maintainability: When you structure your website using semantic HTML, it becomes easier to maintain and update.
  
  The clear hierarchy and organization make it simpler to modify or add content without disrupting the overall design and user experience.

In review, semantic HTML is essential for creating a website that is accessible, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines.

By using semantic tags appropriately, you enhance your website’s structure, improve the overall user experience, and increase its visibility in search engine results.

Investing time and effort in utilizing semantic HTML is crucial for any beginner looking to create a successful website.

Conclusion

The ABCs of HTML provide a solid foundation for beginners to start their web development journey. We have covered the basic structure and elements of HTML, as well as how to format text and add images.

By mastering the ABCs of HTML, beginners can now create simple web pages and understand how different elements interact with each other. However, this is just the beginning of a long and exciting learning journey.

To further enhance your HTML skills, we encourage you to practice regularly and explore more advanced topics such as CSS and JavaScript.

The more you practice, the better you will become at creating visually appealing and interactive web pages.

Additionally, there are plenty of resources available online for further HTML learning.

Websites such as W3Schools, MDN Web Docs, and Codecademy offer in-depth tutorials, exercises, and reference materials that can help you expand your knowledge.

Remember, learning HTML is a continuous process, and there will always be new techniques and features to explore.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and push yourself out of your comfort zone. With dedication and practice, you will become proficient in HTML and be able to build stunning websites.

So, keep learning, keep practicing, and enjoy the journey of becoming an HTML pro. Happy coding!