HTML is the mark up computer programming language, primarily, used for describing the structure of a hypertext document. These hypertext documents form the core element of World Wide Web. A scientist, Tim Berners Lee, invented HTML in 1990s to make it easier for scientists at different universities to gain access to each other’s work. The project became a huge success and by inventing HTML, Tim Berners-Lee laid foundation for the Web.
HTML stands for Hyper Text Mark-up Language. The detailed explanation of HTML is as follows; Hyper is the opposite of linear. Computer programs ran linearly before HTML was invented. When a program executed one action, it went to the next line, then to the next line and so on. However, with HTML one can directly reach anywhere. For example, it is not necessary to go to google.com before going to yahoo.com. English alphabets form the Text and Mark up is marking up the text just as anyone would do in a text-editing programme with headings, bullets, italicised fonts, etc. Language is HTML itself since the source code is written in plain English language.
HTML is relatively simple than it may seem, but it does involve a number of “tagged” commands that instruct the web browser to display the files. These commands give structure to the HTML document and direct the browser to present the webpage. Generally, an HTML command begins with an opening tag, some content, and an ending tag. Tags are labels used to mark-up the beginning and ending of an HTML command. Angle brackets surround all tags: . The only difference between the opening tag: and the ending tag: is the forward slash “/”. Dozens of mark up tags create HTML source code.
Tags also have attributes. Attributes describe various properties of a tag like color, height, width, etc. Attributes always appear inside the opening tag followed by an equal to sign and the detail or value written in the quotation marks. For example; < body style=”background-color:#FFF00”>. This command will show a completely yellow webpage.
A webpage is a text file containing HTML source code but saved with .htm or .HTML file extensions. HTML documents are also called web pages. These documents contain HTML tags and pair of other instructions that describe web pages. HTML documents must be specifically formatted so that the browser identifies them. This is done by using specific HTML commands.
:The first and foremost command
!DOCTYPE identifies the version of HTML, the document conforms to.
:HTML command identifies the document as an HTML document and describes the
webpage.
:The head command is used to identify the section where the homepage title belongs.
HTML Help:Title command is for the title of the web page.
: Closing tag of the head.
:The body command identifies the body section of the document.
: There are six heading commands: h1 is for the largest and h6 for the
smallest.
HTML editor, WYSIWYG HTML editor, Mac HTML editor, HTML converter
: Every new
paragraph is shown with paragraph,
tag
: Closing tag of the body of the HTML document.
: Closing tag of the document.:The first and foremost comman
< !DOCTYPE HTML “http://www.htmlhelp.com/htm>:The first and foremost command !DOCTYPE identifies the version of HTML, the document conforms to.< html >:HTML command identifies the document as an HTML document and describes the webpage. < head>:The head command is used to identify the section where the homepage title belongs. HTML Help < /title>:Title command is for the title of the web page. : Closing tag of the head. :The body command identifies the body section of the document.
: There are six heading commands: h1 is for the largest and h6 for the smallest.
HTML editor, WYSIWYG HTML editor, Mac HTML editor, HTML converter
: Every new paragraph is shown with paragraph,
tag. : Closing tag of the body of the HTML document. < /html>: Closing tag of the document.
A pre-designed webpage sans content and pictures is known as an HTML template. HTML template eliminates the need for hiring a professional web designer. Design layout is the first step in creating a web page. The next step is creating that design in an HTML editor and finally adding text to the web page. An HTML template instinctively takes care of the first two steps. By just loading the HTML template into an HTML editor, pictures and content can be easily added to the ready-made web page.
All HTML templates require HTML editors in order to add text and images to the web pages. An HTML editor is a software that allows the users to produce codes required to create and host websites. Professionals as well as uninitiated users can use these programs in creating a website. HTML editors can be divided into three forms: text HTML editors, object HTML editors, and WYSIWYG HTML editors. Text HTML editor provide syntax highlighting functions, object HTML editor allows editing of the source text of the object, and WYSIWYG HTML editor provide users with a graphical interface (GUI) and number of tools to develop web pages.
Some of the most popular HTML editors for windows are Microsoft Expression Web, Adobe GoLive and Dreamweaver. Popular Mac HTML editors are Dreamweaver, Kompozer, Adobe Creative Suite Web Standard, and Komodo Edit. And, if you use Unix/Linux based computers Eclipse, Komodo IDE and Aptana Studio are the best HTML editors.
The Internet is the storage area for millions and millions of websites. Each website uses a different file format and program for different information. Several different formats require special software programs to use or open. HTML converter is one such software that allows users to convert different formats into HTML files and vice versa.
Today, Internet is the future. A website is required to reserve a spot in this fast growing cyber world. To begin, pick a good HTML book, join an HTML course, or browse the web for informative online resources for learning HTML - the mother tongue of the browser.
The following links, together, form an ultimate HTML help and resource guide to the new users as well as the professionals.