Geek 101: What are HTML and CSS?
Posted on 03.05.08 in Tech Stuff and there are 9 comments.
This is the first of a series of posts in which I’ll answer your geek questions. If you have a question, just ask it in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer it (or find the answer).
What Are HTML and CSS?
Essentially, HTML and CSS are computer programming languages used for presenting information via the web. HTML handles the content and structure while CSS controls the design.
So, if a website was a house, HTML would be the wood and nails and CSS would be the paint, furniture and decor.
HTML
HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language. HTML is the code that tells your web browser (IE, Firefox, Safari) how to present and structure the information on the web site you are visiting.
If you know HTML, you can build web sites and even a basic familiarity with HTML will allow you to greatly improve your blogging experience. Use HTML to tweak your template design, add a hyperlink anywhere or add images.
CSS
CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheet.
Ideally, CSS controls the layout and design of web pages. It outlines the colors used, font style, font color, page layout and most (if not all) of the design elements.
Build Your First Web Page
This is HTML. Copy and paste it into a PLAIN text editor - not Word or a word processing program. Use a simple basic text editor.
<html> <head> <title>My first styled page</title> </head> <body> <!-- Main content --> <h1>My first web page</h1> <p>Welcome to my first web page page!</p> </body> </html>
Now save it with an .html extension and open it in your web browser.
Voila! Your first web page!
Add Some Style
Now for the CSS.
<style type="text/css">
body {
font-size: 18px; }</style>
Add the code right between this: <title>My first styled page</title> and this: </head>
Save it and view it again.
You should see that the text got bigger. You can change that 18 to any number you like and the text size will adjust accordingly.
In Conclusion
There you go. HTML and CSS and your very first web page.
If you want to learn more, check out the W3School tutorials.
There are 9 comments.
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The Comments:
uh…
I like chocolate.
Mar 05, 08 at 12:02 pm
I guess that means, I didn’t explain it very well...?
I like chocolate too. It makes me a better mommy.
Mar 05, 08 at 01:10 pm
Mrs. E would fully agree - chocolate makes her a better mommy.
Mar 05, 08 at 02:17 pm
It’s not you Kat, it’s me. I’m a moron. I haven’t even fully grasped the ABC’s yet. But chocolate...chocolate I understand. It’s my love language. When my wife and I are having a hard time, we’ll share some chocolate while our son plays with knives, and suddenly...life is worth living again.
Mar 05, 08 at 03:05 pm
I did it and it worked!!! No worries, Kat, you explained it great.
I had fun with your tutorial.
‘Lil
Mar 05, 08 at 04:45 pm
I’m so proud of you Lilia!!!!
Now you just need to start a blog…
Mar 05, 08 at 04:45 pm
Travis,
Ha!!
Mar 05, 08 at 05:30 pm
How much do you charge to do web pages?
I can blog, but the web page thing is hurting my head, or maybe its just tax season.
Mar 05, 08 at 10:53 pm
Web design in 30 seconds.
When I explain it to people, I just say html shows content, css describes the layout. It’s important to know both if you want to tweak your blog so that it doesn’t look like everybody else’s. I know; mine does anyway.
Via the Feed
Travis
Mar 05, 08 at 11:24 am