What is HTML? Understanding HTML from A to Z

HTML is a markup language that helps developers write content on web pages. However, many people mistakenly believe that this is a web programming language. So, what is HTML? What is HTML used for, and what are its pros and cons? Through the following article, Vcloudia will provide you with further information about this language.

Understanding Information About HTML

1. What is HTML?

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. HTML is commonly used to create and structure sections in web pages and applications, organizing paragraphs, headings, links, blockquotes, etc.

HTML is not a programming language; it is merely a markup language. This means that HTML cannot execute "dynamic" functions. In other words, HTML is similar to Microsoft Word software, serving solely to format the components present on a website.

2. Structure of HTML

An HTML code file is composed of HTML elements and pairs of tags. Alongside this, HTML includes many different types of tags, and each tag has its own duty and meaning. In addition, each tag begins and ends with angle brackets "<, >". The letters between these brackets are called elements. Basically, the structure of an HTML page consists of the following 3 parts:

The code file type declaration section with the tag structure : Appears at the beginning or top of the HTML file. Through this section, users will know which version of HTML the browser is using to build the page.

The initial declaration section, declaring meta, title, javascript, css,... with a structure starting with the tag and ending with the tag: Contains the title and declarations containing information intended for SEO. In particular, the title is displayed on the navigation bar of the web page and is the content located between the pair of tags and .

The section that contains and displays the content of the web page, with a structure starting with the tag and ending with the tag: Includes the website header, logo, primary navigation, and search bar; main content such as article title or headings, article content, publication date, author, etc.; sidebar displaying widgets and secondary navigation; footer providing contact information, social links, copyright, and navigation.

History of the HTML Language

In late 1991, the first version of HTML developed by Tim Berners-Lee was published under the name HTML Tags. This version had an extremely simple design, describing 18 elements. Next, in 1995, the IETF completed "HTML 2.0".

Subsequently, the HTML 4.01 version was published in 1999. By the year 2000, HTML versions were replaced by developers with XHTML. In 2014, HTML was upgraded to the HTML5 standard with clear improvements. This was demonstrated by the addition of many tags to the markup to help clearly identify what category content belongs to.

What is HTML Used For?

HTML is used for 3 main purposes: creating content, designing user interfaces, and programming web interactivity. Specifically as follows:

1. Creating Content for Web Pages

If your website wants to display content to visitors, it will require HTML. HTML allows your website to store audio, video, text, and several other applications.

2. Designing Interfaces for Web Pages

HTML5 is currently the latest version of HTML with distinct improvements compared to previous versions. Therefore, today, people commonly use HTML5 to design website interfaces.

However, you can only use HTML to build the skeleton framework for a web page. To complete the design of a website, you need to use CSS to adjust colors, dimensions, icon positions, and several other complex matters. In addition, you also need specialized programming knowledge.

3. Programming Interactivity for Web Pages

Through HTML, you can program interactions between users and the website. To accomplish this, you need to use JavaScript code. JavaScript creates effects when users click and move the mouse on the website.

Advantages and Disadvantages of HTML

HTML is an effective tool that helps users design and create content rapidly for websites. This is because HTML possesses many outstanding advantages as follows:

- A massive repository of resources with an extensive user community

- Uses open source, allowing users to use it for free

- Runs smoothly across almost all browsers

- Simple operational mechanism, enabling learners to easily grasp knowledge to deploy for their websites

- Can integrate with many different languages such as PHP, Java, NodeJs, Ruby, etc., helping users build websites with many engaging features

- Uses concise and highly consistent markups

- Standardized according to specific rules and governed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

Alongside the above advantages, HTML still has several disadvantages. So, what are the disadvantages of HTML? 

- Only applicable to static web pages, lacking interactivity with users. If you want to equip the web with automated features, you need to use third-party services.

- Some browsers are still slow to update in order to support newer versions of HTML, especially HTML5

- Controlling how browsers read and render HTML files is difficult to execute

- Only applies to a specific structure, lacking creative capability: HTML only applies to a specific structure and lacks the ability to innovate.

Current Types of HTML

Currently, there are 3 types of HTML that are most widely applied: HTML 4, XHTML, and HTML5. Below are several characteristics of these HTML types:

1. HTML 4

HTML 4 was introduced in 1997 as the 4th version of the hypertext markup language. This HTML version was published as a W3C Recommendation. HTML 4 applies many different elements and attributes for web browsers.

2. XHTML

XHTML stands for Extensible HyperText Markup Language. This is an alternative language to HTML with stricter syntax. Specifically, XHTML requires every element to be closed with a closing tag or unique self-closing syntax and is case-sensitive, whereas HTML does not require this.

3. HTML5

HTML5 is the 5th version of HTML announced by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). HTML5 is a combination of HTML 4, XHTML, DOM Level 2, and JavaScript. HTML5 supports running across all browsers.\

Differences Between HTML and HTML5

HTML is one of the greatest inventions for world science and technology. HTML has been updated frequently and continuously from its inception to the present day. Currently, the highest version of HTML is HTML5, which has distinct differences compared to early HTML. So, what are the differences between HTML and HTML5? Let us explore the differences between HTML and HTML5 through 9 comparison criteria, as shown in the table below.

The Relationship Between HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

The relationship between HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is mutually supportive. To build a complete website, users need to combine HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The specific functions of each tool are as follows:

- HTML is responsible for constructing text formatting, building the interface, and structuring the content on the web page

- CSS functions to design, build backgrounds, and customize colors and effects for the website

- JavaScript is the core element that determines what will happen when users click and move the mouse on the website. JavaScript is responsible for generating dynamic functionalities such as image galleries, pop-ups, sliders, etc., for the web. In other words, JavaScript defines interactivity and dynamic elements on a web page.

Software Used for HTML Programming

HTML programming can be performed across many software applications or code editors. But for the coder community, below are several popular software applications used for HTML programming today:

1. Sublime Text

Sublime Text is a free code editor. This software supports multiple different platforms including Windows, Mac, and Linux. With Sublime Text, developers can edit local files or a codebase with ease.

2. Atom

Atom is an open-source software that functions as a text editor. When downloading the application to your machine, you can use it immediately without being dependent on configuration files. In addition, this is free software, making it a choice for many developers.

3. Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code helps users edit and draft snippets of code to support the web building and designing process. This software is compatible with many different platforms and machine specifications. Visual Studio brings developers powerful features including theme changes, shortcut keys, and a wide variety of other options.

4. Dreamweaver

Dreamweaver is software specialized for website design. This application has a user-friendly interface and supports packages. Therefore, you only need to use Dreamweaver to design websites smoothly without needing to install any other supporting software. However, this application has rather strict user information requirements, so you must go through multiple identity verification steps when downloading the software.

Commonly Used HTML Tags

In HTML, the number of tags is extensive, corresponding to many different functions. But generally, there are the following 5 groups of tags:

1. Text Tags

Text tags are used to create a section of text in HTML code. To create text, you need to use the tag. Next, you can use the character string " " to create a space between 2 characters. When you want to break a line, use the tag.

2. Formatting Tags

Formatting tags are used to mark or emphasize certain elements in HTML text. Several popular formatting tags include:

- Tag indicates content that needs emphasis

- Tag indicates content needing emphasis, rendered by the browser in bold text

- Tag displays text 1 font size larger

- Tag displays text 1 font size smaller

- Tag displays italic text

- Tag marks emphasis

- Tag marks inserted text

- Tag marks deleted text

- Tag creates subscript

- Tag creates superscript

3. Image Tags

The image tag or tag is used to insert an image into HTML text. This type of tag has 2 essential attributes: src and alt. The structure of an image tag is as follows:

4. Link Tags

Link tags are used to define the relationship between an HTML file and external resources. The most commonly used link tag is linking to CSS. Several structures of link tags include , ,

5. Form Tags

The form tag is used to create an HTML "form" for users. In addition, the form tag is used to submit data to the server and is not used to control layout. The structure of the form tag mandatory requires the action parameter: Furthermore, inside the form tag, several other tags can be contained.