HTML
2026-5-20
HTML is the standard markup language for creating web pages.
All web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) receive HTML to dictate the content and basic layout of a web page. Once the browser obtains the HTML, then it starts running it. The HTML file then includes references to other files, such as CSS, which then is used to change the appearance of the page, and JavaScript, which is responsible for most dynamic and ineractive content.
Below is an example of a very basic template for an HTML file. The first part, on line 1, provides a declaration that it is an HTML file. After that is the opening html tag. Most elements in HTML consist of two tags, one opens, and the second one closes. All content between <html> and </html> is then used by a browser. Content in the head is referenced behind the scenes. meta elements are read by social media sites, such as Facebook and Discord to render nice looking cards, instead of a plain hyperlink. These are exceptions to the opening and closing rule. The title element provides the title of the page, which is displayed on the tab at the top of your browser. (Or the side, if your browser permits) All content between the body tags is rendered on the page.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Title</title>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>This series will serve as an introduction to HTML, and works in conjunction with the CSS series and JavaScript series to build a simple recipie book website.