HTML Course: Brief History Of HTML, Writing HTML And Summary Of HTML Syntax

Lesson 1: HTML

Session 1: Brief History Of HTML
HTML was developed by Tim Berners Lee in 1991. It underwent several modifications into HTML+, HTML 2.0, HTML 3.2, HTML 4.01, HTML 1.0 and (most recently) HTML 5. HTML standards are maintained by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium).


Session 2: HTML
HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) is a type (and most common) of markup language. A markup language is a set of markup tags used to define a document to be rendered by a Web browser. NOTE: HTML is not a programming language.

HTML tags are keywords in angular brackets <> that come in pairs. The fist of the pair is called the opening or start tag . The second is called the closing or end tag . The end tag always has a forward slash / before it.
Example: <opening tag > </closing tag>
HTML elements are everything between the opening and closing tag including the tag itself.
Example: <opening tag> Content </closing tag>
The compilation of HTML elements used in different ways makes up an HTML document.

The HTML document is then interpreted by a Web Browser (e.g. Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, e.t.c) into visual and audio content that is understood by the browser.

In other words, the web browser does not display the HTML tags itself but the interpretation.

Session 3: Writing HTML
For you to begin the art of HTML writing, you need a text editor . Windows Operating System (OS) users can use Notepad which is already pre-installed with the OS.

TIP: I personally recommend Notepad++ because it displays the code in a colored form, making it easier to read and understand. It is also free but has to be downloaded. Search with Google to find a website to download it from.
Mac OS users can use Text Edit as well.

In addition to these, there are professional web editors that allow you create a website visually without coding HTML tags manually. Popular ones include Adobe’s Dreamweaver and Coffee Cup HTML Editor . However, it is advisable to do without the professional web editors now as it will not help you gain mastery over HTML.

Session 4: Summary Of HTML Syntax
NOTE: Syntax in this context simply means the way the elements are arranged.

A) An HTML element consists of:
a-The opening tag
b-The element content
c- The closing tag Syntax: <opening tag> element content </closing tag>

B) Some HTML elements do not have contents and are called empty elements. They have only the start tag and the forward slash. This is the only time when the / is in the start tag.

C) HTML elements can have attributes which makes the element specific. They have a value written in double quotation marks. It gives information on how the attribute qualifies the element.

All are written in the opening tag. Syntax: < opening tag attribute:"value"> content </closing tag>

HTML elements and their attributes should be written in lower case.