1. HTML Introduction

What you will learn

• What HTML stands for and what it does
• How HTML, CSS, and JavaScript work together
• How to read a very small HTML example

What is HTML?

HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. It is the standard language used to describe the content and structure of a web page.

• HyperText means text that contains links to other pages.
• Markup means labels (called tags) added around content to say what it is: a heading, a paragraph, an image, a link.
• Language means there are agreed rules that every browser understands.

HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Most websites use three technologies together:

• HTML is the structure and content (like the walls and rooms of a house).
• CSS controls the look: colors, fonts, and spacing (the paint and furniture).
• JavaScript adds behavior: menus, quizzes, and forms that react (the electricity).

You will learn HTML first because the other two build on it.

A first example

<p>Hello, <strong>world</strong>!</p>

How the example works

1. <p> is an opening tag. It says “a paragraph starts here”.
2. The text Hello, is the paragraph content.
3. <strong>world</strong> marks the word “world” as important. Browsers usually show it in bold.
4. </p> is the closing tag. It says “the paragraph ends here”.

How a browser uses HTML

1. You type a web address, and the server sends back an HTML file.
2. Your browser reads the file from top to bottom.
3. It turns each tag into something visible on the screen.

The browser does not show the tags themselves. It uses them as instructions.

Common mistakes

• Thinking HTML is a programming language. It describes content only.
• Forgetting the closing tag, such as writing <p>Hello with no </p>.
• Using HTML only to change how text looks. Use CSS for appearance.

<p>I am learning <strong>HTML</strong></p>

Summary

• HTML describes the structure and content of web pages.
• Tags wrap content to give it meaning.
• HTML, CSS, and JavaScript work together.

Next lesson: HTML Editors and Setup.