Qwiki

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the standard markup language used to create web pages. It describes the structure of web pages using markup, which consists of a series of elements that enclose different parts of content, making them appear or act in a certain way. HTML is the cornerstone technology used by most websites to create visually engaging web content along with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and JavaScript.

History

HTML was created by Tim Berners-Lee in 1991, and it has since gone through multiple iterations to improve its capabilities. The latest major version is HTML5, which has introduced numerous features and improvements for the modern web, including support for multimedia such as video and audio, as well as new elements for structuring web content more semantically.

Structure of HTML Document

An HTML document is divided into two main parts: the head and the body. The head contains meta-information about the document, such as its title and links to stylesheets. The body contains the actual content of the web page, including text, images, and other multimedia elements.

Head Elements
  • Title: Defined using the <title> tag, the title of the document appears in the browser's title bar or tab.
  • Meta Tags: Provide metadata such as the character set, author, and description.
  • Link Tags: Used to link to external stylesheets and scripts.

Body Elements
  • Headings: HTML provides six levels of headings, <h1> through <h6>, used to define the hierarchy of information.
  • Paragraphs: Defined using the <p> tag, paragraphs are used for text content.
  • Links: The <a> tag is used to create hyperlinks, which link to other web pages or resources.
  • Images: The <img> tag is used to embed images in a web page.
  • Lists: HTML supports ordered (<ol>) and unordered (<ul>) lists.

HTML5 and Its Features

HTML5 is the latest version of HTML, and it includes a wide range of new features and elements that enhance the capabilities of web pages:

  • Semantic Elements: New elements like <header>, <footer>, <article>, and <section> improve the semantic structure of documents, making them easier for search engines to parse.
  • Multimedia: The <video> and <audio> elements allow for embedding media content without third-party plugins.
  • Graphics: The <canvas> element provides dynamic, scriptable rendering of 2D shapes and bitmap images.
  • Forms: Enhanced form controls and attributes make it easier to build web forms.

HTML and the Document Object Model

The Document Object Model (DOM) is an essential concept in web development, as it represents the structure of an HTML document in a tree-like model. Each node in the DOM tree corresponds to an HTML element, and the DOM API allows developers to manipulate these elements dynamically using JavaScript.

Semantic HTML

Semantic HTML is the practice of using HTML markup to convey the meaning of the content on a web page, rather than merely its presentation. By using semantic elements, developers can create web pages that are more accessible and understandable for both users and search engines.

Microdata in HTML

Microdata is a specification that helps embed machine-readable data within HTML documents. It enables search engines and other applications to better understand the content of web pages, improving the accuracy of search results and other services.

Related Topics