Definition
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. It's the standard language used to create the structure and content of web pages. Think of it as the skeleton and muscles of a webpage.
Purpose
HTML's primary purpose is to define the structure and meaning of web content. It tells a web browser how to display text, images, videos, links, and other elements on a page.
Here's a breakdown of its key roles:
- Structuring content: HTML elements like headings, paragraphs, lists, and divisions organize information into a logical hierarchy.
- Defining meaning: Semantic elements convey the purpose of content, making it accessible to search engines and assistive technologies.
- Embedding multimedia: HTML allows you to incorporate images, videos, audio, and other media into web pages.
- Creating links: Hyperlinks connect different web pages, enabling navigation and information sharing.
How it Works
HTML uses tags to mark up content. These tags are enclosed in angle brackets (<>). For example, <p>
marks the beginning of a paragraph, and </p>
marks its end.
<p>This is a paragraph.</p>
Example
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>My First Web Page</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to My Website!</h1>
<p>This is the main content of the page.</p>
<img src="image.jpg" alt="An image">
<a href="https://example.com">Visit Example</a>
</body>
</html>
This simple HTML code creates a basic web page with a title, a heading, a paragraph, an image, and a link.
Working Together with Other Technologies
HTML often works in conjunction with:
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): For styling the appearance of HTML elements.
- JavaScript: For adding interactivity and dynamic behavior to web pages.
By understanding HTML, you'll have a solid foundation for building web pages and mastering web development.