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HTML Hello World

HTML Introduction​

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the standard markup language for creating web pages and applications. It is used to structure the content of a web page by using tags to define elements such as headings, paragraphs, images, links, and more. HTML works together with CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and JavaScript to create interactive and visually appealing web pages.

Official site: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML

History​

HTML was first introduced by Tim Berners-Lee in 1990 as a way to share information among researchers in a more efficient manner. The initial version, HTML 1.0, had limited functionality and only a few basic elements.

Over the years, HTML has gone through several revisions and updates. HTML4 was released in 1997, introducing new features like tables, frames, and forms. HTML5, the latest and most widely used version, was released in 2014. HTML5 brought significant improvements, including support for multimedia elements, offline storage, and enhanced semantics.

Features​

HTML provides various features that help structure and present content on the web. Some key features include:

  1. Semantics: HTML allows you to use specific tags to describe the purpose or meaning of the content within them. This helps search engines, screen readers, and other tools understand the structure of the page better.

  2. Cross-platform compatibility: HTML is supported by all web browsers, making it a universal language for creating web pages that can be accessed from any device.

  3. Multimedia support: HTML5 introduced native support for audio and video elements, eliminating the need for external plugins like Flash. This allows developers to embed multimedia content directly within the page.

  4. Forms: HTML provides form elements like input fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, and more, allowing users to interact with web pages by submitting data.

  5. Accessibility: HTML supports accessibility features, such as alt attributes for images and semantic tags for structuring content, making it easier for people with disabilities to navigate and understand web content.

Hello World Example​

Let's start with a simple "Hello World" example in HTML. Open a text editor and create a new file with a .html extension. Add the following code:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Hello World</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Hello, World!</h1>
    <p>This is a basic HTML page.</p>
</body>
</html>

Save the file and open it in a web browser. You will see a heading saying "Hello, World!" and a paragraph below it.

Let's break down the code:

  • <!DOCTYPE html>: This is the document type declaration that tells the browser that the document is an HTML5 document.
  • <html>: This is the root element of an HTML page.
  • <head>: This section contains metadata about the document, such as the page title.
  • <title>: This element sets the title of the web page, which appears in the browser's title bar or tab.
  • <body>: This is the main content area of the web page.
  • <h1>: This is a heading element, and it displays the text "Hello, World!" as the main heading of the page.
  • <p>: This is a paragraph element, and it displays the text "This is a basic HTML page." as a paragraph of content.

Congratulations! You have created your first HTML page.

Comparison with Alternatives​

HTML is the fundamental language for creating web pages, but it often works together with CSS and JavaScript to enhance the presentation and functionality of a website.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used to define the visual styles and layout of HTML elements. It allows you to control the colors, fonts, spacing, and positioning of elements on a web page. While HTML focuses on the structure and content, CSS handles the design and presentation.

JavaScript, on the other hand, is a programming language that adds interactivity and dynamic behavior to web pages. It can be used to create interactive forms, handle user input, manipulate the HTML structure, and perform various other tasks.

Combining HTML, CSS, and JavaScript allows you to create powerful and feature-rich web applications.

Conclusion​

HTML is the backbone of the web, providing a standard way to structure and present content. It has evolved over the years, and the latest version, HTML5, offers a wide range of features for building modern web pages and applications. By combining HTML with CSS and JavaScript, you can create visually appealing, interactive, and accessible web experiences.

Now that you have a basic understanding of HTML, you can explore further by referring to the official documentation and experimenting with different elements and attributes.