HTML Basics – What is HTML?

HTML is a key technology for web development, playing a crucial role in how information is structured and linked on the internet. In this text, I will explain the basics of HTML, how it works, and what advantages it offers. Use this guide to gain a deeper understanding of HTML and further develop your skills in web development.

Key takeaways

• HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language.
• It enables decentralized storage and linking of information.
• HTML describes the content, not the design; the design is handled by CSS.
• HTML is independent of hosting and can be used across various server-based structures.

Step 1: Understand what HTML is

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language and is the standardized language used to create documents on the web. The term "hypertext" refers to the way information is linked. You can think of information as being organized hierarchically, so that certain topics depend on others. For example, if you have a document about bread, you might also create articles about margarine or cheese and reference them in your bread document.

This way, you only need to capture information that repeats once, which represents an efficient use of data.

Step 2: Learn the semantic description

HTML itself says nothing about how a document looks; it serves as a semantic description. You specify what your content is, for example, with elements like headings, paragraphs, or tables. Browsers interpret these tags and display them in the typical way you know from websites.

There are standard formats supported by most browsers – a first-level heading will be displayed noticeably larger, while subheadings are smaller.

Step 3: Rely on the use of CSS

HTML alone is not enough to shape the design of your website. That is where Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) come in, allowing you to influence the appearance of your web pages. Once created, the design is set by CSS and can be shared across different HTML documents.

HTML and CSS work hand in hand. HTML describes the content, while CSS is responsible for the styling.

Step 4: Utilize the decentralized structure

Another important feature of HTML is the possibility of decentralized structure. This means that content stored on different servers can be linked to each other, regardless of where they are physically hosted. For example, you could store information about sausage on a server in Germany while there are information about cheese in Holland.

The only requirement is that the browser has the correct URL to access the content.

Step 5: Understand the historical context

The development of HTML and its original purpose were heavily influenced by military communication, where decentralized storage of information was necessary to ensure connectivity between different base stations.

By understanding this background, you gain deeper insight into the principles that anchor HTML and the fundamental concept that underlies the entire structure of the internet.

Summary – HTML as the foundation of the web

HTML is the foundation for the design and structuring of web pages. It serves as Hypertext Markup Language, enabling effective linking and decentralized storage of information. With HTML, you learn how to describe content semantically, and how this content can be presented appealingly in combination with CSS. By understanding the central concepts of HTML, you are capable of creating engaging and functional web pages.