There is a need to demystify programming, coding, and the likes as it tends to come off as a very complex and difficult activity which is reserved for only the smartest and brightest and this cannot be further from the truth.
Although HTML which is known as the Hyper Text Markup Language used to give a webpage or website its structure is not a programming language per se, the entire process could still be classified as a coding activity because it is through it that one gets to arrange, decide, and script what goes into a webpage and what the website will be able to do.
To start with, one needs a functional laptop – preferably, as it is more user-friendly and navigation is much easier when you design using a laptop than a mobile phone. A fun fact is that except in the situation where you need to confirm or crosscheck things on the internet or if you are using a software that requires internet, you can script an entire webpage or website using just HTML without internet access.
Simply using NotepadTM or Notepad++TM on your windows laptop is sufficient to design a webpage with HTML. Of course, there is more sophisticated software that already makes the scripting process less tedious and more fun as it comes with pre-formatted tags and basic HTML elements – you could say that it completes your sentences one of such applications is Brackets TM. Other examples of HTML editors include PSPadTM, AtomTM, TextMateTM, UltraeditTM, Sublime TextTM, and Komodo EditTM. However, it is still possible to work without using those and simple script with only a laptop and the Notepad application or whatever variations of it in an iOS or other systems.
In terms of this markup language itself, to start, the first and foremost knowledge one needs to have is to learn what is called the Tags. These tags are the elements on which HTML is built. To write elements, one has to put the opening tag which is represented by a ‘<>’ and end it with a closing tag ‘</>’. An example is the embed tag, which will be opened and closed as <embed> </embed> in an HTML file, there are several other tags.
When it comes to using co-editors or website design software, learning the fundamental HTML Tags that will almost always feature in every scripting is a requirement as this basic foundation allows the software to be more efficient for the user.
Contrary to popular belief, a simple website, using just HTML can be created from scratch in a day. Apart from the fact that the website will be bland, being without the ‘look and feel’ touches that other website design applications can give and of course not being accessible to the world until it is hosted, this webpage can be functional having everything you put in it – at least for you to view.
In the situation that one does not intend to code from scratch, having a basic understanding of HTML allows one to tweak and add features in WordPress TM and other pre-formatted website design platforms.
It is important to note that for a webpage to be fully accessible and functional it must be hosted, a domain must be gotten, and if it is intended for e-commerce, an SSL certificate must be obtained.
These are the basic requirements for using HTML, there are other languages such as CSS and PHP, but the fact remains that they are not herculean to learn at all.
Go on Udemy TM, Coursera TM, and even Google TM to get resources to help you get basic knowledge on any or all of these languages, so you can design and or create functional websites for yourself or as a service for others. Get coding!
