HTML TUTORIALS

What is HTML anyway?Well, HTML stands for Hyper Text Mark-up Language and is the "secret code" that is used to create the look and layout of all the documents on the web. Why do I call it the secret code? Because everything on this web page is the result hidden instructions, called tags, that tell the web browser how to display the text, the images, the color, and such. Moreover, the web browser doesn't display the tags on the web page…so, that's why I call it the secret code.

Sound confusing? It might help for you to see an example of what HTML looks like with all those tags.

Look up on the browser window's toolbar, go under View, then click on Source. In a matter of seconds you will see all the hidden HTML tags for displaying the text and images you see here on this page. Or, just click on the button below and I'll take you behind the scenes to the HTML for this page. Oh, and keep an eye out for "less than" (<) and "greater than" (>) signs, because those are part of the instructions which your web browser reads and obeys.

Learning to write HTML is not hard to do. That's why you and I are here…to help you learn how to write HTML in order to make your web pages.

TOOLS AND RULES

Saving your document:
To write HTML, you will need a simple text editor. For Macintosh, I suggest using SimpleText, and for Windows, I suggest using Notepad or WordPad. You can however use a word processor program, such as Word or WordPerfect. But, if you do, then you must remember to save your files in the text format.

Viewing your document:
When you are ready to see your new web pages, all you have to do is double click on the filename and it will appear on your computer just like a web page. This way, you don't need to have space on a web service provider to start learning how to write HTML. However, when your ready to show off your hard work to the rest of the world, you will need to send your documents to a web server, such as Tripod, GeoCities, or Angelfir

TAGS

As you have learned, tags are the instructions that tell the web browser where to put things and how to make them look. Each tag begins with a left angle bracket ( < ) and end with a right angle bracket ( > ) Inbetween the angle brackets, place the tag name like this:That tag is called a starting tag, and usually each starting tag has a closing tag like this: .
Are you wondering what this pair of tags will tell your browser to do? It is pretty simple. The starting tag, , tells your Web browser that "Hey, here is the start of a file that contains HTML coded information." And the ending tag, , tells your Web browser that "Okay, here is the end of my HTML file."
There are many different tags that you can use to tell your browser what to do. Just remember that tags are always enclosed in angle brackets.