A Guide To HTML Language

What is HTML anyway? The HTML language is a language that is used to describe web pages. H-T-M-L stands for Hyper Text Markup Language.

A markup language uses a set of defined keywords called tags which are surrounded by angle brackets like < and > to make web pages more robust and exciting.

For example html tags can make text appear bold or use it to add an image or a paragraph to your web page.

This is the marked up part of the HTML world.

Learn HTML now... common HTML tags...

There are 3 basic ways to create web pages...

1. By Using Web Design Templates

This choice allows you to customize a pre-made web site design template structure. Website design templates can be found in FrontPage, Dreamweaver and at various online websites -- some are free.

Templates are good because experienced web designers create them. You can build a nice looking and functional website pretty quickly.

I recommend that you know about the HTML language fundamentals before you choose this path.



2. By Using an HTML editor like Dreamweaver or FrontPage

Software programs like Microsoft FrontPage, Macromedia Dreamweaver and even Microsoft Word, can create websites for you.

These programs are easy to use but…

… you lose a certain amount of control when you're creating your web pages.

They don't help you when learning how to code your own website.



3. By Hand-coding HTML in a HTML language text editor.

We’re going to use this is the approach here. That means you type in the HTML code yourself. PC users can use Notepad -- Mac users should go with TextEdit.

For most people it’s the quickest way to learn how to create web pages. Also, you have a lot of control over what you're building.

Ok, let’s build our first web page!

You probably have everything you need already.

• You do need a text editor
• You do need a browser
• You don't need a web site

Do I need to be online?

• You do not have to be connected to the Internet while making your websites.

What you don't need to learn HTML?

• You don't need any HTML editor
• You don't need a web server
• You don't need a web site

You need a "browser". A browser makes it possible to browse and open websites. You are looking at this page in your browser right now.

The most common is Microsoft Internet Explorer. But there are others such as Safari and Mozilla Firefox can be used too. I use Firefox because it’s more robust for the way I work. Choose what works for you.

You need a simple text editor. If you are using Windows you can use Notepad – it is usually found in the start menu under Programs in Accessories. Mac users can use TextEdit which can be found in the applications folder.

3 Things
To Know About HTML Tags

1. Angle Brackets Tags are simply created with the greater than sign and the less than sign on a keyboard also know as angle brackets. The backslash symbol is used win the second bracket tag to signify the end of a tag.


2. Tag Pairs Typically tags come in pairs. The first tag in a pair is the start tag, the second tag is the end tag. Start and end tags are also called opening tags and closing tags.


3. HTML Documents An HTML documents describes a web page. HTML documents contain HTML tags and also plain text. They are also known as web pages.

Start learning HTML here...

Learn a few basic must-know HTML tags here and then...

... follow up by learning these useful HTML tags.

You don't have to learn the HTML language to create your web pages. You can use a software package like Adobe's Dreamweaver or Nvu. All you have to do is edit a page like you would when creating a Word document.

Another option is to call upon a web developer to get the job done. I must stress that it is important to know what the language is and also how it works.

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