Difference between revisions of "HTML"

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= HTML Markup Language =
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= HTML =
  
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'''HTML''' stands for '''HyperText Markup Language'''. It is the standard '''markup language''' used for creating the structure and content of web pages. While often encountered by those learning to code for the web, it is important to understand that HTML is '''not a programming language'''.
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'''HTML''' (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard markup language used for creating web pages and web applications. It is the backbone of virtually every website you visit, providing the structure and content of web pages.
  
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== HTML is a Markup Language, Not a Programming Language ==
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== Purpose ==
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HTML's primary purpose is to define the structure of content on the web. It uses a system of "elements" (tags) to categorize and organize different parts of a web page, such as headings, paragraphs, images, links, lists, and tables. Browsers interpret this markup to display the content as intended.
  
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This distinction is crucial:
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== How it Works ==
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HTML documents are plain text files saved with .html or .htm extensions. A web browser reads these files and renders the content according to the HTML tags. For example, a <p> tag tells the browser to display text as a paragraph, while an <img> tag tells it to embed an image.
  
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* '''Programming Languages''' (like Python, Java, or JavaScript) are used to write instructions that a computer can execute to perform tasks, solve problems, or create dynamic behavior. They involve logic, algorithms, variables, loops, and conditional statements.
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HTML works in conjunction with other technologies:
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* '''Markup Languages''' (like HTML or XML) are used to annotate and define the structure and presentation of content within a document. They use tags to label elements and describe their purpose or how they should be displayed.
 
  
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HTML's role is to describe the *content* and *structure* of a web page, not the *logic* or *behavior*. You use HTML to say "this is a heading," "this is a paragraph," "this is an image," or "this is a link." You cannot use HTML alone to perform calculations, respond to user input in complex ways, or create dynamic content that changes based on conditions.
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'''CSS (Cascading Style Sheets):''' Used to control the appearance and layout of web pages (colors, fonts, spacing).
  
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== Why is HTML Needed? ==
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'''JavaScript:''' Used to add interactivity and dynamic behavior to web pages.
  
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HTML is fundamental to the existence of the World Wide Web. It is needed for several key reasons:
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== Basic Structure ==
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A typical HTML document includes:
  
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* '''Structuring Web Content:''' HTML provides the essential framework for organizing text, images, and other media on a web page. Without HTML, a web page would just be a block of unformatted text and scattered media. HTML tags give meaning and structure to the content, making it understandable to both humans and machines (like web browsers and search engines).
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<!DOCTYPE html>: Declares the document type and HTML version.
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* '''Enabling Hyperlinking:''' The "HyperText" in HTML is the core concept that allows documents to be linked to each other. This is what makes the web a interconnected network of information. The <code>&lt;a&gt;</code> tag in HTML is used to create these crucial hyperlinks.
 
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* '''Interpreted by Browsers:''' Web browsers are designed to read and interpret HTML files. They use the HTML markup to render the content visually (or audibly, for accessibility tools) on a user's device.
 
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* '''Foundation for Web Development:''' HTML serves as the necessary foundation upon which other web technologies like [[CSS]] (for styling and layout) and [[JavaScript]] (for interactivity and dynamic behavior) are built. CSS styles HTML elements, and JavaScript manipulates them to create rich web experiences. You must have an HTML structure before you can apply styles or add complex functionality.
 
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* '''Accessibility:''' Proper use of HTML elements (semantic HTML) helps make web content accessible to users with disabilities who might be using screen readers or other assistive technologies. The markup provides context and meaning that these tools can interpret.
 
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* '''Search Engine Optimization (SEO):''' Search engines rely heavily on the structure and content defined in HTML to understand the topic and relevance of a web page. Using appropriate headings, semantic tags, and providing alt text for images are important for SEO.
 
  
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In essence, HTML is the blueprint of a web page. It tells the browser what the different parts of the page are and how they relate to each other, making the content consumable and navigable.
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<html>: The root element of an HTML page.
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<head>: Contains metadata about the HTML document (e.g., character set, page title, links to CSS files, scripts). This content is not displayed on the web page itself.
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<body>: Contains all the visible content of the web page (headings, paragraphs, images, links, etc.).
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Example:
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  <!DOCTYPE html>
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  <html>
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  <head>
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      <title>My First Web Page</title>
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  </head>
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  <body>
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      Your text/code
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      <img src="image.jpg" alt="A descriptive image">
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  </body>
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  </html>
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== Key Concepts ==
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Tags and Elements: HTML uses tags to define elements. Elements consist of an opening tag, content, and a closing tag. Some elements are self-closing.
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Attributes: Provide additional information about an element (e.g., src for image source, href for link destination).
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Hyperlinks: The "HyperText" in HTML refers to its ability to link documents together using the <a> (anchor) tag.
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Semantic HTML: Using HTML elements that convey meaning about the content helps with accessibility and search engine optimization.
  
 
== See Also ==
 
== See Also ==
  
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* [[Markup language]]
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*[[CSS]]
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* [[Programming language]]
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*[[JavaScript]]
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* [[CSS]]
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* [[JavaScript]]
 
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* [[Web development]]
 
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* [[World Wide Web]]
 
  
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[[Category:Web standards]]
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[[Category:Information]]
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[[Category:Markup languages]]
 
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[[Category:Computer languages]]
 

Latest revision as of 10:04, 10 June 2025

HTML

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard markup language used for creating web pages and web applications. It is the backbone of virtually every website you visit, providing the structure and content of web pages.

Purpose

HTML's primary purpose is to define the structure of content on the web. It uses a system of "elements" (tags) to categorize and organize different parts of a web page, such as headings, paragraphs, images, links, lists, and tables. Browsers interpret this markup to display the content as intended.

How it Works

HTML documents are plain text files saved with .html or .htm extensions. A web browser reads these files and renders the content according to the HTML tags. For example, a

tag tells the browser to display text as a paragraph, while an <img> tag tells it to embed an image. HTML works in conjunction with other technologies: CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Used to control the appearance and layout of web pages (colors, fonts, spacing). JavaScript: Used to add interactivity and dynamic behavior to web pages.

Basic Structure

A typical HTML document includes:

<!DOCTYPE html>: Declares the document type and HTML version.

<html>: The root element of an HTML page.

<head>: Contains metadata about the HTML document (e.g., character set, page title, links to CSS files, scripts). This content is not displayed on the web page itself.

<body>: Contains all the visible content of the web page (headings, paragraphs, images, links, etc.).

Example: 

 <!DOCTYPE html>
 <html>
 <head>
     <title>My First Web Page</title>
 </head>
 <body>
      Your text/code
     <img src="image.jpg" alt="A descriptive image">
 </body>
 </html>

Key Concepts

Tags and Elements: HTML uses tags to define elements. Elements consist of an opening tag, content, and a closing tag. Some elements are self-closing.

Attributes: Provide additional information about an element (e.g., src for image source, href for link destination).

Hyperlinks: The "HyperText" in HTML refers to its ability to link documents together using the <a> (anchor) tag.

Semantic HTML: Using HTML elements that convey meaning about the content helps with accessibility and search engine optimization.

See Also

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