Basic HTML: Introduction/What Is HTML?

Basic HTML:
Introduction/What Is HTML?

Use these to jump around or read it all
[Welcome to HTML] [Let's Get Started]
[What is HTML?] [Beginning to Write]
[View Source] [Viewing Your Document]

WELCOME to HTML...

     This is an introduction to the very basics of HyperText Mark-upLanguage.

You Can Do This!

Let's get Started

      I am assuming that you have some computer knowledge and are interested in learning about HTML. In order to continue you will need ...

1. A computer (obviously)
2. A browser like Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, orOpera. If your looking at this page, you obviously have one. I would also suggest using a browser that supports images. If you surf with LYNX or CELLO, or another text-only browser, then try uploading to one of the browsers noted above. Each name is linked to the lownload site for that browser.
3. A word processor. If you have access to Window's"Notepad" or "Wordpad" program or the MAC "Simple Text" program, use that to get started.

      If you have those three things, you can write HTML with the best of them. Now here are a few questions you probably have:

Q. I have a MAC (or PC) will this work on my computer?
A. Yes. HTML does not use any specific platform. It works with simple text.

Q. Must I be logged onto the Internet to do this? More specifically, will learning this throw my cost for on-line way up?
A. Neither. You will write off-line.

Q. Do I need some sort of expensive program to help me write this?
A.No. You will write just what was outlined above. You can buy those programs if you like, but they are not needed.

Q. Is this going to require I learn a whole new computer language like QBasic or Fortran.

A. No. HTML is not a computer language.

What Is HTML?

     HTML are initials that stand for HyperText Mark-up Language. (Computer people love initials and acronyms--you'll be talking acronyms ASAP in no time).

  • Hyper is the opposite of linear. It used to be that computer programs had to move in a linear fashion. This before this, this before this, and so on. HTML does not hold to that pattern and allows the person viewing the World wide Web page to go anywhere, any time they want.
  • Text is what you will use, real, honest to goodness English letters. You know the ABC'S
  • Mark-up is what you will do. You will write in plain English and then mark-up what you wrote.
  • Language because they needed something that started with "L" to finish HTML and Hypertext Mark-up Louie didn't flow correctly. Because it's a language, really-- but the language is plain English.

    Beginning to Write

          Now you are ready to actually to write HTML. Lets get into the program you will use to write your HTML document.Keep in mind: HTML documents must be text only. When you save an HTML document, you must save only the text, nothing else.
          Notepad, Wordpad, and Simple Text all save in text-only format without your doing any additional work. They just do it.

    The Word Processor

          When you write to the word processor you will need to follow a few steps:

    1. Write the pages as you would any other document>
    2. When you go to save the document (Here's the trick), ALWAYS choose SAVE AS.
    3.When you SAVE AS box pops up, you will neeed to save the page in a specific format. Look at the SAVE AS dialogue box when it pops up:usually at the bottom, you find where you will be able to change the file format.
    4. If you have a PC, save your document as ASCII TEXT DOS or just TEXT. Either one will work.
    5. If you have a MAC, save your document as TEXT

          Please remember! It is very important to choose "SAVE AS" EVERY time you save your document. If you don't the program won't save as TEXT, but rather in its default format. In layman's terms--use SAVE AS or screw up your document.

    How to Name Your document

          What you name your document is very important. You must first give your document a name and then add a suffix to it. That's the way everything works in HTML. You give a name and then a suffix.

    Follow this format to name your document.
    1. Choose a name. Anything. If you have a PCnot running Windows95, you are limited to eight letters, however.
    2. Add a suffix. For all HTML documents, you will add either".htm" or ".html".

    ">htm" for PCs running Windows 3.x and ".html" for MAC and Windows 95/98 Machines

    Example:
          I am looking to name a document "bryan". Thus the document must be named "bryan.html"Please notice the dot (period) before. htm and .html. And no quotation marks, they were added here to set the name apart.

    View Source

          Here's how you look at an HTML document (known as the "source code") :

    1. When you find a page you like, click on VIEW at the top of the screen.
    2. Choose DOCUMENT SOURCE from the menu. Sometimes it only reads SOURCE.
    3. The HTML document will appear in the screen.
    4. Go ahead. Try it with this page. Click on VIEW and then choose the SOURCE.

    Viewing Your Document

         Follow Thes Steps:

  • Open your browser(Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or whatever).

  • Choose File Open, File, or File Open or something similar, depending on the version of the program that you have), and open file bryan.html for example.

  • Check to see whether your document looks as you think it should.

  • Make changes to the documnet in your text editor and save the document.

  • Return to the browser, clisck your "Reload or Refresh button.

  • This step reloads the file. You're ready to perform Step 3 again.


    THATS ALL FOLKS, HAVE FUN

    [Welcome to HTML][Let's Get Started]
    [What is HTML?][Beginning to Write]
    [View Source][Viewing Your Document]

    • You Can Do This!