If you want to become a reliable web developer, you really have to be familiar with HTML. You see, HTML is one of the most important website components.
HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. Don’t worry, even though it sounds technical, in this article, we will explain what HTML is, complete with its history, components, functions, and how it works.
It is hoped that through this article you will gain an in-depth understanding of HTML. So, you can learn more easily.
Immediately, let’s see the discussion!
What is HTML?
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is a markup language used to create web pages. Its contents consist of various codes that can compose the structure of a website.
HTML consists of a combination of text and symbols stored in a file. In creating HTML files, there are specific standards or formats that must be followed. This format has been contained in the international code standard or ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange).
With HTML, users can create or arrange headings, paragraphs, images, links, and more so that many people can see them through website pages.
To be accessible in general, users need to open it through a browser application, such as Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox.
History of HTML
Tim Berners-Lee is the scientist behind the birth of HTML. In 1991, he originally created HTML as a solution to make it easier for scientists to access each other’s documents.
After a year, HTML began to be used for the public. The history of using HTML in general cannot be separated from the role of the World Wide Web or what we know as the WWW. Both of them synergize with each other so that the information you want to spread can be accessed by many people.
Unexpectedly, now HTML has evolved into a markup language that is used by more than 92.3% percent of websites in the world.
Until now HTML5 is the most updated version with the most sophisticated system. The popularity of this latest version of HTML is also very rapid. In fact, currently there are 87.4 percent of websites that already use HTML5.
Get to know HTML Tags, Elements, and Attributes
After knowing the history of HTML, now you need to know the components contained in HTML.
In general HTML consists of Tags, Elements, and Attributes.
For more details, see the following explanation:
1. Tags
Tags are prefix and suffix marks in HTML commands that will be read by a web browser. Tags are created using square brackets <…>, which contain the name of the tag.
Each tag has a different command function. Starting from making titles, paragraphs, headings, bold, italic, italic, and others.
For example: <bold>. The tag will ask the browser to display text in bold format.
In addition, tags are written in pairs, namely the opening tag and closing tag. In the closing tag, add a slash (/) in front of the tag name.
Initially, there were only 18 HTML tags. Until now, there have been more than 250 tags. Too many, yes. However, you don’t need to memorize all the existing tags. You just need to remember a few basic tags.
2. Elements
An element is an HTML component that is the entire code from the opening tag to the closing tag. Elements consist of text and symbols in the form of opening tags, contents of tags or content, and closing tags.
For example: <bold>Learn HTML</bold>.
An element can also contain other elements. So the element does not only contain one tag, but many tags. Those elements are called nested elements.
3. Attributes
Attributes are additional information or commands contained in elements. This attribute serves as a description of the tag command on the element.
For example, <img src=”image.jpg” alt “Sunflower.”>.
The <img> tag has special attributes, namely (scr) and (alt) which means the browser must display a .jpg image with the alt text “Sunflower”.
From the example above, it can be seen that the number of attributes in a tag can be more than one. However, not all attributes can be used in a tag.
In addition to special attributes, there are several attributes that are used to specify the action to be performed if something happens to an element. For example, (onload) when loading is complete, (onoffline) when suddenly offline, (onresize) window size. These attributes are called event attributes.
How does HTML work?
Ok, now maybe you are wondering how does the HTML file work so that it can be displayed in the browser. Now let’s look at the explanation.
First, you create an HTML document in an HTML editor application and save it in .html or .htm format.
There may be more than one HTML document created. Because on a website, it usually consists of many pages. For example, main page, contact, blog, and others.
Well, each document contains HTML components that will compose headings, paragraphs, content, and more.
This file extension can be opened using a web browser such as Google Chrome, Safari, or Mozilla Firefox.
Then, to be accessible to many people, you need to go online first. You need to hire a website hosting service and upload your website files there.
If so, then the browser will read and render the HTML file to display the website page. So that when people access the website, they can easily read the information displayed.
HTML Functions You Must Know!
Previously we have slightly touched on one of the HTML functions. So, for more details, here are some of its functions that you must know!
1. Create a Website Page
The main function of HTML is to create web pages. So you can share information with many people through a browser on the internet.
HTML is also easy to apply for a beginner, no wonder, almost all websites must be made using HTML.
2. Become a Website Foundation
HTML also serves as the main foundation for making websites. Several programming languages will be applied to HTML to display a more attractive website.
For example, the website interface can be more colorful by using CSS. CSS is a design language to beautify the appearance of the website. Then the website displays many features using the Javascript, PHP, or other programming language.
3. Marking Text and Sections on Website Pages
Another function of HTML is to be a text marker and part of website pages. For example, to mark sentences in bold and italic, you only need to code <bold>, <italic>.
In addition, HTML also functions to mark sections on the website. For example the header, main, footer, and navigation sections. So that it makes it easier to create a website.
4. Displaying Multimedia on the Website
So that the website is not boring, of course you need to add pictures, videos, tables and other media, right? Now with HTML, you can display various media according to your needs.
5. Directing Users to Other Website Pages
Along with its development, HTML now also functions to direct users to other pages or websites through certain text. This function can also be called a hyperlink.
Conclusion
HTML is a markup language that functions to create a website structure so that it can be accessed in general through browser applications.
We should be grateful to Tim Berners-Lee who developed HTML in 1991. HTML, which was originally only used for his research needs, can now be used by everyone for various needs.
Thanks to its development, HTML also has many sophisticated functions. For example, creating websites with multimedia, applied to other programming languages, and being able to navigate web pages with hyperlinks.
Even HTML is not too difficult if learned by a beginner. You only need to understand the basic components of HTML, namely elements, tags and attributes. Where, the element is the entire text in HTML which is the message marker of the command or tag, as well as the description of the command tag or attribute.
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