What is HTML?

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the basic code that tells web browsers how to display text, images, links, and other content on a webpage. Think of it as the skeleton that gives structure to everything you see online.

Let's break it down

  • HyperText: Text that can link to other pages or sections, like clicking a word to go somewhere else.
  • Markup: Special tags (like <p> or <img>) that wrap around content to label what it is.
  • Language: A set of rules and symbols that computers understand.
  • HTML: The combination of these ideas that creates the outline of a web page.

Why does it matter?

Without HTML, browsers wouldn’t know how to arrange words, pictures, and links, so the internet would just be a jumble of raw data. Learning HTML lets you build and control your own web pages, giving you a voice and presence online.

Where is it used?

  • Personal blogs and portfolios where individuals showcase their work.
  • E-commerce sites that display product listings, images, and checkout buttons.
  • Educational platforms that present lessons, videos, and interactive quizzes.
  • Corporate websites that provide information about a company, its services, and contact details.

Good things about it

  • Simple syntax: Easy for beginners to read and write.
  • Universally supported: Every web browser understands HTML.
  • Flexible: Works with CSS and JavaScript to create beautiful, interactive sites.
  • Open standard: No licensing fees; anyone can use it.
  • Fast to prototype: You can build a basic page in minutes.

Not-so-good things

  • Limited styling: HTML alone can’t control colors, fonts, or layout; you need CSS.
  • No built-in interactivity: Dynamic behavior requires JavaScript or other tools.
  • Can become messy: Large pages without proper organization can be hard to maintain.
  • Not a programming language: It can’t perform calculations or make decisions on its own.