HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. It is the standard language used to create web pages and web applications.
HTML is not a programming language. It is a markup language, which means it is used to structure content on a webpage such as text, images, links, tables, and forms.
Every website on the internet uses HTML in some form. Without HTML, a web browser cannot display content properly.
HTML works by using elements called tags. These tags tell the browser how to display content on the screen.
For example, HTML tags are used to define headings, paragraphs, images, links, and buttons. The browser reads these tags and renders the content accordingly.
HTML usually works together with CSS and JavaScript. HTML provides structure, CSS adds design, and JavaScript adds interactivity.
Why HTML Is Important for Developers
HTML is the first step in web development. If you want to become a frontend developer, backend developer, or full-stack developer, HTML is mandatory.
Understanding HTML helps you:
- Build the structure of web pages
- Understand how websites are organized
- Work easily with CSS and JavaScript
- Read and debug real-world website code
In the above example:
- The document starts with a document type declaration
- The html tag wraps the entire webpage
- The head section contains page information
- The body section contains content shown in the browser
You do not need to understand everything right now. This example is only to give you an idea of how HTML looks.
Key Points to Remember
- HTML is used to structure web pages
- HTML is not a programming language
- HTML works in the browser
- HTML is the foundation of web development
What You Will Learn Next
In the next lesson, you will learn how HTML evolved over time and why modern websites use HTML5.
This will help you understand current industry standards.