XHTML Basics: Introduction
Learning HTML is like learning a foreign language.
To start with, you learn enough to simply communicate. As you become more fluent, your web page will expand and become more intricate and interesting.
One of the best ways to learn HTML is to surf the Web. View the HTML behind the pages you like. Do this by selecting VIEW -- SOURCE.
Don't worry if you don't understand all the coding yet - it will make more sense as you continue learning HTML.
HTML instructs the browser how to display information. This is accomplished via tags.
Tags are utilized to specify:
- structure (paragraphs, lists)
- style (links to other pages)
- programming (forms)
A tag is a set of brackets containing a coded command: <p>
All HTML commands must be written inside brackets!
HTML tags generally come in pairs, with a beginning and an ending tag. The ending tag is preceded by a forward slash </>. These work like light switches: the first tag turns the action on and the second turns it off.
<em>these words will appear in italics to show emphasis</em>
HTML tags are not case sensitive but "good coding" means using lowercase letters.
If a browser does not know what to do with a tag, it will ignore it!
Additional Information:
- W3 (World Wide Web Corsortium)
- XHTML Resource Center: Great source of information, from the basics to advanced.
- About.com: XHTML
- HTML Station
- Introduction to XHTML with Examples
- Learn the Standards
- Web Design Glossary
- Web Developer's Virtual Library
- W3 Web Schools: Tutorials and Tips
- XHTML Summary List of Codes
- XHTML.org
- XHTML
- Special Characters