HTML Tutorial - Part 2

HTML tutorial Part 2 is a continuation of The Internet In A Nutshell found in Part 1. No need to be overly concerned. Understanding the the background of HTML will prepare you for any new HTML changes that is sure to come in the future.

No need to worry. Once you know how to structure a few HTML tags you'll be on your way to learning lots more in the HTML world.

The Basics

4. What happens when you look for information on the Web?
   Your computer has to locate that information. It does this by using HTTP protocol. Its very usage for retrieving inter-linked resources led to the creation of the World Wide Web.

   HTTP is a request/response standard of a client and a server. A client is the end-user, you – and the server is the web site where the desired information is.

   Your browser interprets the text and the HTML tags to show you formatted text and images that will appear on you screen.




Note: HTTP is not the only protocol used on the Internet. You’ve probably heard of a few others such as Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). It's an Internet standard for electronic mail (e-mail) transmission across Internet Protocol (IP) networks. Another is File Transfer Protocol (FTP). It is a standard network protocol used to exchange and manipulate files over an Internet Protocol computer network, such as the Internet.




5. Who or what is the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)?
   They are the main international standards organization for the World Wide Web or WWW or W3 or simply… the web.

   Currently, the W3C has 180 members who come from academic, government, and from various commercial organizations around the world.

   These folks work together to the development standards for the World Wide Web. … gotta have standards to make this stuff work for you and I, right?   ;-)




Tip: Want to read about W3C’s definition of the HTML, XML, or XHTML? Go to http://www.w3.org to browse the main W3C page. Click on the subject you want. I just want to let you know that tons of information is available to you. This HTML tutorial gets you started in the right direction.




6. Where does XHTML fit in?
   XHTML stands for extensible Hypertext Markup Language – the latest version is 2.0.

   It really is the first major change to the HTML language in a very long time. Why did the W3C do this? I’m glad you asked.

   The W3C folks wanted add the structure of another widely used language, called XML, to HTML. It makes sense because XML has very flexible characteristics within it.



7. What is XML?
   This is the newest language that the W3C has developed. The XML acronym stands for extensible Markup Language. In order to appreciate XML, it is important to understand why it was created.

   XML was created so that richly structured documents could be used over the web. XML’s design goals emphasize simplicity, generality, and usability over the Internet.

Return from HTML Tutorial Part 2.