Are you looking to develop a career in full-stack web development? Whether you’re freelancing or plan on joining a tech team, HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is a key skill to have in your programming toolbox. So, let’s explore what HTML is, and the fundamentals of learning HTML for programming.
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. It’s the language used to create webpages on the world-wide-web. When you enter a URL into your browser, the browser sends a request to a server and it responds with the HTML page you’re trying to reach. That HTML page is then interpreted by the browser which downloads and parses any resources (css stylesheets, images, scripts) referenced in the HTML and renders a webpage that you can interact with.
At its heart, HTML is a markup language. It uses tags which are special labels of content that denote how the content should be displayed. When writing HTML, you don’t need to worry about the style of the text - font, font size, color, etc - that’s where CSS comes in. HTML is all about the structure of the page.
When building HTML pages, you start with a blank slate, define a head and body, add headings and paragraphs, create lists and add different content types such as images and videos. Everything is created using HTML tags, which you can recognize because they’re labeled with angle brackets <>. Below is a brief overview of some of the most common tags.
Now that we understand what HTML is, let’s explore how you can learn HTML for programming. Learning HTML foundation skills start with finding the right resources and tools. The best resources to learn HTML, in my opinion, include free online courses, websites, and tutorials. YouTube has some amazing video tutorials you can follow. You can also take an online course or even ask someone knowledgeable to help you understand the basics.
Once you have a good understanding of the basics of HTML, it’s time to start building your own webpage. Use the tools and librariers that you learned in your HTML classes. It’s important to always be learning and practicing, as HTML tends to evolve quickly. If you're serious about learning HTML and capable of doing so, it’s smart to sign up for a web development bootcamp or other courses providing a comprehensive view of web development. Most of these courses will include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
As mentioned above, there are many great resources available for learning HTML and related technologies. Here’s a list of some of the top resources I’d recommended for learning HTML:
From freelancing and full-stack web development to front-end and back-end development, understanding HTML is key in the world of programming. By understanding the fundamentals of HTML and finding the right resources for learning, you can develop the skills needed to become an effective, successful programmer.
