Getting Started with HTML

All pages on the World Wide Web are written in a language called HTML (HyperText Markup Language). If you look at the source code of a Web page (in Netscape, you can do this by going to the View menu and selecting Page Source), you will see the text of the page, interspersed with "tags"--short instructions to the web browser, enclosed in angle brackets ("<" and ">"). HTML consists of these tags, along with rules as to how they can be combined with each other.

It used to be the case that anyone who wanted to design a web page had to know HTML, and the software you would use to design a web page was just a simple text editor (the "source code" of a web page, as distinguished from the page a browser displays when given the source code, is just a file containing plain text and HTML commands, meaning that it can be read by any word processing program on any computer). To create a web page, you would write your document and then type in HTML tags by hand. Nowadays, programs such as Macromedia Dreamweaver and Claris HomePage exist, which allow you to design a page visually, as you would in a word processing program, inserting the HTML code automatically.

However, there are good reasons to know HTML, rather than depending on programs like Dreamweaver. Even if you prefer to use Dreamweaver, knowing HTML will allow you to fine-tune your pages. Furthermore, knowing HTML will give you just a little more insight into the way the Web really works.

HTML Syntax

Resources for learning how to write HTML.

The NCSA Beginner's Guide to HTML explains the basics of HTML, including text formatting, graphics, and tables.
Introduction to HTML is another good introductory guide.
HTML Quick Reference provides a brief summary of the major HTML tags.
If you want to use an HTML editor some of the time, but don't care for Macromedia Dreamweaver or Claris HomePage, Tools for WWW Providers lists a plethora of shareware and freeware programs, as well as websites for checking the validity of HTML code you write.

HTML Style

Once you get the basics down, learning good style is just as important.

Composing Good HTML is a good overview of how to use HTML to clearly convey your information to the widest possible audience.
All Things Web provides links explaining the pros and cons of using advanced HTML features like tables and frames.
The Usable Web, from All Things Web, explains principles such as simplicity and reader-friendliness.
Bad Design, from Usable Web, contains many useful links such as "Top Ten Mistakes in Web Design."

Working With Images

How to use graphics, color, and other fancy features to jazz up your pages.

Graphics Techniques for Web Page Images covers such features as transparent GIFs, animated GIFs, and image maps.
Using Background Images explains just that.
If you're looking for images to use on your Web pages, the Web Developer's Virtual Library provides more than you'll ever need.
HTML Goodies has tutorials on image- related topics such as image links and screen captures, as well as one on changing text colors.
You'll probably need to use graphics software such as Fireworks and Graphic Converter.

Marge Rowell, mrowell@wellesley.edu
Information Services
Date Created: January 12, 1999
Last Modified: September 27, 2000
Expires: June 1, 2001