HTML (HyperTextMarkupLanguage)

I am assuming at the beginning of this tutorial that you know nothing about HTML. I am assuming, however, you have some computer knowledge. You wouldn't be looking at this page without having some knowledge. To continue with these Primers, you will need...

1. A computer (obviously)

2. A browser like Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or Opera. If you're looking at this page, you obviously have one.

3. A word processor. If you have access to Windows "Notepad" or "WordPad" programs or the MAC "Simple Text" program, use that to get started.

You don't have to work online.You will write off-line.

HTML is not a computer language!

What is HTML?

H-T-M-L are initials that stand for HyperText Markup Language (computer people love initials and acronyms). Let me break it down for you:

• Hyper is the opposite of linear. It used to be that computer programs had to move in a linear fashion. This before this, this before this, and so on. HTML does not hold to that pattern and allows the person viewing the World Wide Web page to go anywhere, any time they want.

• Text is what you will use. Real English letters.

• Mark up is what you will do. You will write in plain English and then mark up what you wrote.

• Language Because it's like a language.

Here, I want to tell you how you will go about the process.

You will write the HTML document on the word processor, or Notepad, WordPad, or Simple Text. When you are finished creating the HTML document, you'll then open the document in a browser, like Netscape Navigator. The browser will interpret the HTML commands for you and display the Web page.

Now, some people who are already schooled in HTML are going to jump up and down and yell that you should be using an HTML assistant program because it makes it easier. That's true, but it also makes it harder to learn as the program does half the work for you. Take my word for it, use the word processor for a week, then go to the assistant if you still want to use one. You'll be far better off for the effort.

Let's get into the programs you will use to write your HTML document. Keep this in mind: HTML documents must be text only. When you save an HTML document, you must save only the text, nothing else.

The reason I am pushing NotePad, WordPad, and Simple Text is that they save in text-only format without your doing any additional work. They just do it. But, if you're like me, then you will want to start writing on a word processor, like WORD, or WordPerfect. Maybe you're just more comfortable on it. If so, read this next part carefully.

The Word Processor:

When you write to the word processor you will need to follow a few steps:

1. Write the page as you would any other document.

2. When you go to save the document (Here's the trick), ALWAYS choose SAVE AS.

3. When the SAVE AS box pops up, you will need to save the page in a specific format. Look at the SAVE AS dialogue box when it pops up: Usually at the bottom, you find where you will be able to change the file format.

4. If you have a PC, save your document as ASCII TEXT DOS or just TEXT. Either one will work.

5. If you have a MAC, save your document as TEXT.

You see, when you save your document in WORD, or some other word processor format other than text, you are saving much more than just the letters on the page. You're saving the margin settings, the tab settings, specific fonts, and a whole lot of other settings the page needs to be displayed correctly. You don't want all of that. You just want the text.

NotePad, WordPad, and SimpleText already save in text-only format so if you use one of them as your word processor, you'll get the correct format simply by saving your document.

How To Name Your Document:

What you name your document is very important. You must first give your document a name and then add a suffix to it. That's the way everything works in HTML. You give a name and then a suffix.

Follow this format to name your document:

1. Choose a name. Anything.
2. Add a suffix. For all HTML documents, you will add ".html".

Why Do I Do That? Glad you asked. It's a thing called "association." It's how computers tell different file types apart. ".html" tells the computer that this file is an HTML document. When we get into graphics, you'll see a different suffix. All files used on the Web will follow the format of "name.suffix." Always. Why do you keep harping on the fact that I must save in TEXT only?

You see, HTML browsers can only read text. Look at your keyboard. See the letters and numbers and little signs like % and @ and *? There are 128 in all (read upper- and lowercase letters as two). That's text. That's what the browser reads. It simply doesn't understand anything else.

If you'd like to test this theory, then go ahead and create an HTML document and save it in WORD. Then try and open it in your browser. Nothing will happen. Go ahead and try it. You won't hurt anything.

Remember that if you are using Notepad, Wordpad, or Simple Text, the document will be saved as text with no extra prompting. Just choose SAVE.

Opening the Document in the Browser:

Once you have your HTML document on your hard drive, you'll need to open it up in the browser. It's easy enough.

1. Under the FILE menu at the very top left of this screen, you'll find OPEN, OPEN FILE, OPEN DOCUMENT, or words to that effect.
2. Click on it. Some browsers give you the dialogue box that allows you to find your document right away. Internet Explorer, and later versions of Netscape Navigator, require you to click on a BROWSE button or OPEN FILE button to get the dialogue box. If you saved the file to your hard drive, get it from there.
3. You might have to then click an OK button. The browser will do the rest.

Let's say you run into a page that has a really neat layout, or a fancy text pattern, or a strange grouping of pictures. You'd like to know how to do it.

Well, look, I'm not telling you to steal anything, but let's be honest, if you see some landscaping you like, you're going to use the idea. If you see a room layout you like, you will use the idea to help yourself. That's the point of looking at another page's HTML document. I think it's also the best way to learn HTML.

Here's how you look at an HTML document (known as the "source code"):

1. When you find a page you like, click on VIEW at the top of the screen.
2. Choose DOCUMENT SOURCE from the menu. Sometimes it only reads SOURCE.
3. The HTML document will appear on the screen.
4. Go ahead. Try it with this page. Click on VIEW and then choose the SOURCE.