Web Publishing: What is HTML?

	Division of Information Technology Web Publishing @ SFSU What is HTML?
What is HTML?	HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. Existing text documents can be modified by adding specific markup codes to prepare them for distribution on the World Wide web. This document is an example of an HTML document.
Viewing the HTML Codes using Netscape	To view the HTML markup codes used to create any HTML document follow these steps: Select View from the Netscape menu bar Select Source... from the View list While you are viewing the HTML source document you can copy it, for later reference. You can do this by highlighting what you want to copy, then use the standard Macintosh (Command-C) and Windows (Ctrl-C) copy commands. You can also save the source using the File - Save command (select source as the type) or even attach the source to an E-mail message to yourself
Tools for Creating Simple HTML Documents	There are a number of software programs/add-ons specifically designed to assist in the creation of HTML documents. These tools speed up the creation of HTML documents, however they add a level of complexity to the process of learning HTML. Some simple, (hopefully) familiar tools that can also be used are basic text editors and a browser: *Macintosh* Editor: TeachText or SimpleText (use find to locate your copy) Browser: Netscape (or your favorite browser) *MS-Windows* Editor: Notepad or Wordpad (found in the Accessories) Browser: Netscape (or your favorite browser) *Unix - Internet Cluster Account* Editor: pico or vi (any text editor will substitute) Browser: lynx
The Process	To develop an HTML document, first enter some text, then use HTML tags to markup your document. After you have created your first homepage, save it in text format, assigning it an .htm or .html extension. If you are working on a computer with Netscape you can preview your homepage by selecting Open File from Netscape's File Menu option. Each time you make changes to the html file you will need to reload using the Reload button or Ctrl-R command.
General Guidelines	Name all files using lowercase letters. If you plan to edit your web files on more than one platform, it is easier to move files that have 8 character filenames with 3 letter extensions. Ex: help.htm , snap.jpg If you name your main page welcome.htm it will be the default document delivered from your account. Your 'webspace' can include subdirectories created within the public_html directory.
Different ways to create HTML document	Export Bookmarks Save a copy of your bookmarks to disk using your browser's Export Bookmarks / Save As.. command. Convert an existing document Converters quickly 'export' previously formatted documents to HTML. Some software applications have a built-in 'Save as HTML' command, others have add-on converters that can be downloaded from the manufacturers web site. Use a simple text editor Using a simple text editor like Notepad, Wordpad, Teachtext, or SimpleText type the contents of your page and the HTML codes you need to format your document. Use an HTML code editor Specific HTML code editors can be used to speed up adding HTML codes using buttons and commands. Examples of these programs include: HTMLed, BBEdit, and PageSpinner Use a WYSIWYG HTML editor WYSIWYG HTML editors allow you to highlight and format a web page without working with codes. Examples of these programs include Netscape Navigator Gold, FrontPage, and PageMill. Use a Site management tool Site management tools are designed to make it easy to maintain multiple pages that contain common information. Examples of these programs include NetObjects Fusion, AOLPress, and SiteMill Write a custom program to create the pages Using a programming language you can write programs that create the pages for you.
For More Information	HTML code Guides World Wide web FAQ

Home Search Need Help?

1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132 (415) 338-1111
Last modified February 11, 2008 by the Web Team