HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. It's the standard language used to create and structure content on the web. Think of it as the skeleton of every website you visit—it provides the basic structure that holds everything together.
Understanding HTML
HTML is not a programming language—it's a markup language. This means it uses special tags to "mark up" or describe different types of content. These tags tell web browsers how to display text, images, links, videos, and other elements on a webpage.
For example, when you see a heading on a website, it's created with HTML. When you click a link, that's HTML. When you see an image, fill out a form, or watch a video—all of these are made possible by HTML.
Why HTML Matters
HTML is the foundation of the web. Here's why it's so important:
- Universal Language: Every website on the internet uses HTML. Whether it's Google, Facebook, or a small blog, they all rely on HTML for their structure.
- Easy to Learn: Unlike programming languages, HTML is straightforward and beginner-friendly. You can start creating web pages within hours of learning it.
- Foundation for Other Skills: Learning HTML is the first step before moving on to CSS (styling) and JavaScript (interactivity). You need to understand HTML before you can effectively learn these other technologies.
- Career Opportunities: Web development is a highly sought-after skill. Knowing HTML opens doors to careers in front-end development, full-stack development, web design, and more.
Breaking Down the Name
Let's understand what "HyperText Markup Language" really means:
HyperText
"HyperText" refers to text that contains links to other text. When you click a link on a webpage and it takes you to another page, that's hypertext in action. This ability to link documents together is what makes the web "web-like"—everything is connected.
Markup
"Markup" means annotating or marking up text with special instructions. In HTML, we use tags (enclosed in angle brackets) to mark up content. These tags tell the browser what each piece of content is and how it should be displayed.
Language
While HTML isn't a programming language, it is a language with its own syntax and rules. It has a specific way of writing things that browsers understand and can interpret.
A Simple HTML Example
Let's look at a very basic example of HTML code. Don't worry if you don't understand everything yet—we'll cover all of this in detail in upcoming lessons.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>My First Webpage</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to My Website!</h1>
<p>This is my first paragraph written in HTML.</p>
</body>
</html>In this example:
<html>tells the browser this is an HTML document<head>contains information about the page<title>sets the title that appears in the browser tab<body>contains the visible content of the page<h1>creates a large heading<p>creates a paragraph
How HTML Works
Here's a simple breakdown of how HTML works in practice:
- You write HTML code: Using a text editor, you create an HTML file (with a .html extension) containing your markup.
- You open it in a browser: When you open the HTML file in a web browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, the browser reads your HTML code.
- The browser interprets the code: The browser understands what each HTML tag means and how to display it.
- The webpage is displayed: The browser shows your content on the screen according to your HTML instructions.
HTML in the Real World
Every website you visit uses HTML. When you:
- Read an article online—that's HTML structuring the text
- Fill out a contact form—HTML creates those input fields
- Click on a navigation menu—HTML builds that menu structure
- View a photo gallery—HTML embeds and arranges those images
- Watch a video—HTML embeds that video player
HTML is everywhere on the web, working quietly in the background to present information in a structured, accessible way.
Versions of HTML
HTML has evolved over time. The current version is HTML5, which was released in 2014. HTML5 introduced many new features like:
- Better support for audio and video
- New semantic elements for better structure
- Improved form controls
- Canvas for drawing graphics
- Better mobile device support
The good news? When we say "HTML" today, we generally mean HTML5. That's what we'll be learning throughout this tutorial series.
What You Need to Get Started
One of the best things about learning HTML is that you don't need any special software or expensive tools. All you need is:
- A text editor: This can be as simple as Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac), though we recommend using a code editor like Visual Studio Code, which is free and makes writing HTML easier.
- A web browser: You probably already have this! Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge all work perfectly for viewing your HTML creations.
- Curiosity and patience: HTML is easy to learn, but like any new skill, it takes practice.
Key Takeaways
- HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language
- It's a markup language, not a programming language
- HTML provides the structure and content of every webpage
- It uses tags to mark up different types of content
- HTML5 is the current version of HTML
- You only need a text editor and a browser to start learning HTML
- HTML is the essential first step in learning web development
What's Next?
Now that you understand what HTML is and why it matters, you're ready to learn how the web actually works. In the next lesson, we'll explore how browsers, servers, and HTML files work together to display websites.
Don't worry if you feel like there's a lot to learn—we'll take it one step at a time. By the end of this tutorial series, you'll be creating your own web pages with confidence!