What is HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)?

Meaning & Definition

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)

HTML, or Hypertext Markup Language, is the standard markup language used to create and structure content on the World Wide Web. It serves as the foundation for building web pages and defining the elements and components that make up a webpage’s structure and content. HTML is not a programming language; it is a markup language used to describe the structure of a document and how elements within it should be displayed in a web browser.

HTML accomplishes this by using a system of tags or elements that enclose and describe different parts of a web page’s content. These tags define headings, paragraphs, links, images, lists, tables, and other elements that together create a web page.

Here are some key aspects of HTML:

• Tags

HTML consists of a set of predefined tags that are enclosed within angle brackets (<>). Tags are used to define elements and their attributes. For example, the <p> tag is used to define a paragraph, and the “<a>” tag is used to define a hyperlink.

• Elements

HTML elements are made up of an opening tag, content, and a closing tag. The opening tag indicates the beginning of an element, and the closing tag signifies the end of the element. The content is the information or text contained within the element.

• Example

HTML code <p>This is a paragraph.</p>

• Attributes

HTML elements can have attributes that provide additional information about the element. Attributes are included within the opening tag and are typically name-value pairs.

• Example

HTML code <a href=”https://www.example.com”>Visit Example</a>

• Hierarchy and Nesting

HTML allows elements to be nested inside other elements, creating a hierarchy or structure for the document. For instance, text within a paragraph is often enclosed within a <p> element, which, in turn, may be nested within a <div> element.

• Semantics

HTML also provides a set of semantic elements that describe the meaning and purpose of the content. Examples include <header>, <nav>, <article>, and <footer>. Using these elements helps improve the accessibility and search engine optimization (SEO) of a webpage.

• Compatibility

HTML is a language that web browsers understand and render. It is essential to write HTML that adheres to established standards to ensure cross-browser compatibility and consistent display.

HTML is a fundamental skill for web development, as it provides the structure and foundation for creating web pages and web applications. It is often used in conjunction with CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) for styling and layout and JavaScript for interactivity, forming the core technologies for building and designing websites on the internet.