Diving Into Web Development: HTML and CSS Basics

Are you interested in web development and want to learn the basics? In this blog article we'll discuss the different aspects of web development and how to begin learning HTML and CSS. We'll also discuss how to develop a complete web site and/or API as well as how to use various tech stacks and popular programming languages like Python and Django. So, let's get started!

What Is Web Development?

Web development refers to the creation of web applications and websites from the ground up. It involves both the frontend (the user interface) and the backend (the server side) components. Web development requires knowledge and understanding of many different technologies and languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, APIs and servers.

The Basics of Web Development

The basics of web development consist of understanding the components of a web application, knowing the different programming languages and frameworks, and having a basic understanding of servers and hosting services. The frontend of the application is usually written in HTML and CSS, while the backend is usually written in some kind of programming language (e.g. Python, PHP). Web application databases may be built using MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB.

How to Begin Learning HTML and CSS

• Enroll in an online HTML/CSS course or attend an HTML/CSS workshop.
• Read tutorials and watch tutorials on YouTube.
• Use a HTML/CSS development environment such as Visual Studio Code or Atom to write and debug code.
• Practice with HTML/CSS exercises.
• Learn the basics of web page layout and how to use HTML and CSS to create a beautiful and functional web page.

How to Develop a Complete Web Site or API

Once you've acquired basic knowledge of HTML and CSS, you'll need to learn how to use various tech stacks and programming languages. Depending on the application or website you are creating, you may need to use a variety of languages, frameworks and services. Popular tech stacks include:

• Frontend: HTML/CSS, JavaScript
• Backend: PHP, Python, Django, ASP.NET, Java, Node.js, Ruby on Rails
• API: REST, SOAP
• Servers: Linux, Ubuntu, Windows, Digital Ocean

Best Resources for Learning Web Development

For those interested in learning the basics of web development, there are some great resources available online. Here are some of the best youtube channels, websites, and books to help you get started:

• Youtube: The Net Ninja, freeCodeCamp.org, Traversy Media
• Websites: Codecademy, W3schools, Code.org
• Books: JavaScript and JQuery, Head First HTML and CSS, Eloquent JavaScript

Conclusion

Web development is a complex process, but it doesn’t have to be daunting. By learning the basics of HTML and CSS, you can create very basic websites and API applications. Learning the various programming languages, frameworks, and services available for web development is also essential for creating more complex websites and applications. Lastly, there are many great resources, websites and books available to help you get started on your web development journey.