Website Resources: A Guide to HTML

Website programming used to be an area in which only the most technically inclined dabbled. Today, with the right tools and resources, almost anybody can create their own website. Websites are built using a special language, or code, that can be universally read by computers. This code is called HTML. This code can be written in its simplest form to create a plain text site or it can be programmed to run videos when the site opens, play music upon clicking a link and feature an interactive slideshow.

HTML is short for HyperText Markup Language. HTML code uses a special set of tags, attributes , tables and styles which translate how a webpage should appear. Though it seems complex, learning HTML can only come from practice. It is essentially a series of commands that can be used in various combinations to achieve the look that the programmer desires.

• HTML Explained This resource guide elaborates on the usage of HTML.
• HTML Told in Detail This detailed explanation is great for those new to HTML.
• The Uses of HTML HTML is the language used by your computer, it has numerous applications and this page helps explain some of those.
• HTML for Beginners Using HTML may sound complicated to a novice, but things get easier as you learn more. The Site Wizard helps to explain how and why HTML is used.
• Simplicity of HTML Stanford’s experimental physicist, Michael H. Kelsey, explains HTML and why anyone can learn to use it.

There have been multiple versions of HTML that have been improved upon over the years. The first version, simply called HTML, was invented by Tim Berners-Lee beginning in 1990. New attributes, tags and other elements have been added since then. HTML was finally standardized in 1995, but by that time, millions of webpages had already gone up, some with conflicting code.

• HTML: The Beginning How HTML found its start.
• HTML Timeline This timeline presents the history of HTML through the years.
• Progression of HTML HTML continues to change through the years. This article highlights the early years as well as the changes.
• HTML 2.0 An outline of the 2.0 version of HTML.
• HTML 3.0 Commands used in HTML 3.0.
• HTML 3.2 Structuring using the 3.2 model of HTML.
• HTML 4.0 A reference page with information on the structure and organization of entries using HTML 4.0.
• HTML 5.0 A complete guide to using HTML 5.0.

There are many resources available for people that would like to learn HTML. Interactive tutorials are especially helpful in assisting users with understanding code usage. For those that already understand the beginning steps of HTML, more advanced tutorial sites can help with learning to add tables, style sheets and even video. Learning HTML is a continual process as new technologies and applications are always being developed that can be used in conjunction with HTML.

• Beginning with HTML This resourceful links page has information on getting started with HTML code.
• Easy HTML Learning to code does not need to be painful! This tutorial guide gets you started off on the right foot.
• Start Coding! Dave’s site gives an in-depth tutorial on HTML code and provides in page testboxes that allow you to work as you learn.
• Using Your Knowledge of HTML at the Next Level Intermediate use of HTML consists of adding tables, sound, video, style sheets and more.
• Objects, Embedding, Flash and More There is much more to HTML than just different font sizes and pretty colors. Learn about adding flash to your site, embedding sound files and adding object elements.
• HTML Browser Compatibility For advanced HTML users, this table acts as a quick reference guide to HTML browser compatibility.
• Taking Text to the Next Level Beyond bold, italic and color, there are various elements that can be used to format text.
• HTML for Advanced Developers Information on using JavaScript extensions, meta tags and inline style sheets.
• Using Tables and Targeting Frames HTML uses many structures. Tables and frames are an intrinsic part of the HTML language that advanced users will need to learn.
• Developing Websites Information on using HTML, XML, CSS, JavaScript, ASP, Dreamweaver and more.

Beyond basic HTML, there is also XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, JHTML, SQL and so much more to learn. Familiarizing oneself with the various attributes, tags and table elements is important when learning to code. Sometimes HTML elements can cross over to various browsers, but some elements will not. Thankfully, there are resource pages where you can quickly check compatibility prior to building a page. Other resource pages include color codes and lists of tags.

• HTML5 The most recent version of HTML as of 2010 is called HTML5. HTML5 offers new elements such as more structure options, as well as audio and video information markups, to name a few.
• XHTML Information on the construction of Qname, Datatype and Declaration Modules.
• CSS Cascading Style Sheets help integrate design elements into HTML.
• JavaScript Another “web language,” JavaScript is a versatile type of programming used to communicate actions across the web.
• JHTML Java can be inserted into a typical web page with the use of JHTML (Java within HyperText Markup Language)
• SQL An introduction to Structured Query Language.
• XML Extensible Markup Language consists of elements, declarations and tag semantics which extend as an application for Standard Generalized Markup Language.
• ASP Active Server Pages act as object models for scripting language.
• PHP Used to build web pages quicker, PHP, or Hypertext Preprocessor, has a number of customizable variables that allow developers to enable functionality such as e-commerce tools.
• HTML Tag List This list consists of HTML tags, each linking to a definition that explains the purpose of the tag.
• HTML Attributes Attributes are used to set the properties of HTML scripting.
• HTML Elements Different elements may be used within the various versions of HTML. This table defines the elements and notates which version of HTML the element will work with.
• HTML Tables Tables are used often within HTML and there are numerous ways to set a table within a page.
• HTML Color Codes Colors add style to web pages. This color chart is nice to have available for quick reference to any color code needed.
• HTML: Images, Links and Linked Images Code can be used to link one web page to another. It can also be used to embed pictures. In addition, images can be embedded as links to other web pages.