If you use the Internet on a fairly regular basis, chances are pretty good that you’ve heard of HTML. Just because you’ve heard of it, though, doesn’t mean that you know what it is. Read on to learn about what HTML coding is, the history of HTML and why you should learn how to use it.
What Is HTML?
HTML, also known as HyperText Markup Language, is a computer language that is used to make webpages. HyperText allows people to click on hyperlinks – usually blue in color, a word or group of words that redirects users to another page on the Internet. Markup, the next part of HTML, makes it possible for text to look different. Without HTML, text wouldn’t be able to be bold, italicized or underlined. Language, the last part of the acronym, just states that HTML coding has unique wording, phrasing and grammar rules. By uploading HTML code onto the Internet, information can be shared and viewed in the exact same way with anyone who has access to the World Wide Web. To learn a little bit more about what HTML is and how it looks before a web browser translates it into a webpage, visit the Computer Hope website.
History of HTML
Technology has come a long way in a very short amount of time. In a world of touch screens and three-dimensional televisions, it’s hard to believe that HTML coding has been around for less than 30 years. The World Wide Web was invented in 1989 by a man named Tim Berners-Lee. This was nine years after Berners-Lee had suggested a system to use and share documents with others. By 1990, Berners-Lee had written the necessary browser and server software to use HTML in full force. While the basics of HTML remain the same years later, the language has been fine-tuned a number of times. In fact, by the end of the 20th century, HTML 4.0 was published. HTML5 was published as a Working Draft, or a work in progress, in the first month of 2008.
Why Learn HTML?
Learning HTML is a great way to get ahead in both your personal and professional life. By learning the basics of coding, you’ll be more versatile in the workplace, and you’ll be more likely to be eligible for promotions. While it’s great to specialize in whatever you’re passionate about, being competent in at least a few different areas will give you more opportunities in your working career. While it may not seem like it, learning how to use HTML can also enrich your personal life. For people who don’t care for traditional hobbies, coding can be a fun pastime, and people who have at least one hobby tend to be happier than people who don’t. If you decide you have a passion for HTML coding, you could even turn your hobby into a way to make money on a part-time or full-time basis.
Related Resource: Master’s Degree in Web Design
HTML may seem confusing, but it’s really not too hard to understand. Basically, HTML coding is a language that makes it possible for people to share information over the Internet, and continually learning about HTML as it morphs and changes is a good way to further your career and enhance your personal life.