HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is a fundamental building block of web design in Orange County. It is a markup language used to create a webpage’s structure and content and is the foundation of all websites. Probably all web designers have encountered HTML in their careers!
HTML is the standard language used to create static web pages, which are pages that do not change without manual editing of the HTML code, meaning that users cannot affect it.
The Basics of HTML
HTML is a set of elements or tags, and each element represents a specific webpage component. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? That’s because it is! These HTML documents are created using a text editor and saved with the .html extension. A basic HTML document should have the following elements for it to work properly:
The <!DOCTYPE> Declaration
The <!DOCTYPE> declaration serves as the opening act for your HTML document, setting the stage by informing the browser about the specific version of HTML you’re using. Think of it as a friendly introduction that says, “Hey, browser, we’re going to dance to the HTML5 rhythm!” HTML5 is the current star of the show in the web development world, and it brings a slew of exciting features and improvements to the table. So, when you include this declaration, you’re essentially telling the browser to get ready for a modern, feature-packed HTML experience. It’s your way of ensuring that your web content is presented correctly and takes advantage of all the cool HTML5 capabilities.
<!DOCTYPE html>
The <HTML> Element
Think of the <html> element as the big boss in your HTML document. It’s the head honcho, the top dog, and the one who keeps everything in order. Just like a boss manages a company, the <html> element manages your entire web page. It’s the starting point and container for all the other elements you’ll use to build your web content.
Inside this <html> element, you’ll find the blueprint for your web page, including the <head> and <body> elements. The <head> element holds important information about your document, like the title, meta tags, and links to external resources. Meanwhile, the <body> element contains all the visible content that users see when they visit your website.
So, in a nutshell, the <html> element is the big picture, the commander-in-chief, and the ultimate organizer of your HTML document. It ensures that everything runs smoothly and that your web page is structured and presented correctly to your audience.
The <Head> Element
The <head> element is like the brain of your document, holding important info like the title, meta tags, and links to fancy stuff like stylesheets and scripts. So, while the <head> element might not be visible on your web page, it plays a vital role in ensuring your site looks great, performs well, and communicates effectively with both users and search engines. It’s like the command center that helps your web page function at its best.
The <Title> Element
The <title> element specifies the document’s title, which appears in the browser’s title bar. It is not just a technical requirement but also a powerful tool for communication. Crafting a clear, concise, and relevant title is essential for ensuring that your web page is easily recognizable, accessible, and appealing to both users and search engines.
The <Body> Element
The <body> element contains all the webpage content, such as text, images, videos, and other elements. It is like the main stage of a theater—it’s where all the action happens in your HTML document. It’s one of the fundamental building blocks of any web page, and its role is quite straightforward yet essential: it contains all the visible content that users see when they visit a website.
HTML Elements
HTML elements are enclosed in opening and closing tags, surrounded by angle brackets. The opening tag starts with the element’s name, followed by any attributes in the form of name-value pairs. The closing tag is the exact same as the opening tag, but it has a forward slash (/) before the element name as a sort of closing remark.
For example, the following code creates a simple HTML page:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>My First HTML Page</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to my website</h1>
<p>This is my first HTML page.</p>
</body>
</html>
Here, the <html> element is the root element, and it contains the <head> and <body> elements. The <head> element contains the <title> element, which specifies the document’s title. The <body> element contains the page content, which includes a heading and a paragraph. In a typical HTML document, you should start with the biggest element first (in this case, HTML) and then go to the smaller bits as you create the page (e.g., head, title, body, etc.).
HTML Attributes
HTML attributes give additional information about an element and are included in the opening tag. They sort of act as a descriptor. The most common attributes include the following:
The ID Attribute
The id attribute identifies an element and in JavaScript and CSS to manipulate the element.
The Class Attribute
The class attribute groups elements together, allowing them to be styled with CSS.
The Style Attribute
The style attribute is a nifty HTML feature that lets you apply styles directly to an individual element, right there in the HTML code. It’s like giving that particular element a fashion makeover, specifying things like colors, fonts, and spacing without having to create a separate stylesheet. This can be handy when you want to make a quick, one-off change to an element’s appearance without affecting the rest of your website’s styles. So, it’s your go-to tool for adding a dash of uniqueness to specific elements in your web design.
The Href Attribute
The href attribute is used in links to specify the URL of the destination page.
Conclusion
HTML is the foundation of web design and is essential to creating a well-structured webpage. They’re the first steps to a fully-fledged website! Thus, understanding the basics of HTML is essential for anyone who wants to build a website. HTML is a markup language comprising elements, attributes, and content. Each element represents a specific component of the webpage, and attributes provide additional information about an element. With HTML, you can have the makings of a structured, visually appealing, and interactive website.
See related article here: https://www.drivetrafficmedia.com/the-different-coding-languages-of-web-design/